The Stakeholder Analysis section provides researchers with tools and tips to guide them through the identification of influential individuals or groups who might use their research—stakeholders—and to plan effective engagement with these individuals. This toolkit aims to increase stakeholder engagement in research projects and to improve the effectiveness of the engagement to ultimately increase the overall impact of research insights and technical innovations.
The section walks the users through five steps that prepare them to engage with stakeholders towards achievement of particular goals and objectives. Each step elaborated has an associated worksheet to be completed. By going through the toolkit, users will complete forms, preparing them to implement a plan to engage stakeholders and to measure the success of their engagement.
To use this section of the toolkit, download the zip folder in the dropdown menu above. The zip folder includes a step-by-step guide, accompanying worksheets and examples, a “Readme” file with detailed instructions, and a troubleshooting guide.
Table of Contents
Introduction
Step 1: Identify Stakeholders
Step 2: Prioritize Stakeholders
Step 3: Understand Stakeholders
Step 4: Plan Stakeholder Engagement
Step 5: Track Stakeholder Engagement
Resources and Tools by Step
References
Worksheets and Other Resources
Worksheet: Stakeholder Identification
Worksheet: Stakeholder Prioritization
Worksheet: Stakeholder Mapping Matrix (optional)
Worksheet: Stakeholder Information
Resource: Stakeholder Interview Guide
Worksheet: Stakeholder Engagement Plan by Project Stage
Please note that USAID’s Research Technical Assistance Center (RTAC) has concluded. The RTAC website will be decommissioned at the end of 2025. Some materials will be transferred to the NORC website and the USAID Learning Lab website in the coming months. However, we recommend downloading any materials you would like to preserve at this time.