The Stakeholder Salience Model is a framework used to identify and prioritize stakeholders based on their power, legitimacy, and urgency concerning a project or initiative. Developed by Mitchell, Agle, and Wood in 1997, this model helps project managers and business analysts determine which stakeho…The Stakeholder Salience Model is a framework used to identify and prioritize stakeholders based on their power, legitimacy, and urgency concerning a project or initiative. Developed by Mitchell, Agle, and Wood in 1997, this model helps project managers and business analysts determine which stakeholders require the most attention and resources during stakeholder engagement processes.
In the Stakeholder Salience Model, stakeholders are classified according to three key attributes:
- **Power**: The ability of the stakeholder to influence the organization or project outcomes.
- **Legitimacy**: The perceived validity of the stakeholder's claim or involvement in the project.
- **Urgency**: The degree to which the stakeholder's claim requires immediate attention.
Based on the presence or absence of these attributes, stakeholders are categorized into seven types:
1. **Dormant Stakeholders** (Power only): Possess power but lack legitimacy and urgency. They have potential influence but are currently inactive.
2. **Discretionary Stakeholders** (Legitimacy only): Have legitimate claims but lack power and urgency. They may be beneficiaries of goodwill initiatives.
3. **Demanding Stakeholders** (Urgency only): Exhibit urgent claims but lack power and legitimacy. They may be vocal but have little influence.
4. **Dominant Stakeholders** (Power and Legitimacy): Hold power and legitimacy, making them strong influencers over the project.
5. **Dangerous Stakeholders** (Power and Urgency): Have power and urgent claims but lack legitimacy, potentially leading them to use coercive tactics.
6. **Dependent Stakeholders** (Legitimacy and Urgency): Possess legitimate and urgent claims but lack power, relying on others to advocate for them.
7. **Definitive Stakeholders** (Power, Legitimacy, and Urgency): Hold all three attributes and are top priorities for engagement and communication.
By applying this model, project teams can effectively allocate resources and tailor engagement strategies to address the needs and influence of various stakeholders appropriately. It ensures that stakeholders who can significantly impact the project's success are engaged adequately, and their expectations are managed proactively. The model also aids in identifying potential risks associated with stakeholder relationships, such as conflicts or resistance, allowing for the development of mitigation strategies. Understanding the salience of stakeholders enhances prioritization and contributes to the overall success of the project by fostering stronger stakeholder relationships and ensuring alignment with project objectives.
Stakeholder Salience Model: A Comprehensive Guide
What is the Stakeholder Salience Model?
The Stakeholder Salience Model, developed by Mitchell, Agle, and Wood in 1997, is a framework that helps business analysts and project managers prioritize stakeholders based on three key attributes: power, legitimacy, and urgency.
Why is the Stakeholder Salience Model Important?
Effective stakeholder management is crucial for project success. The Stakeholder Salience Model helps you: • Identify which stakeholders require the most attention • Allocate limited time and resources efficiently • Reduce the risk of overlooking influential stakeholders • Develop appropriate engagement strategies for different stakeholder types • Improve project outcomes through strategic stakeholder management
How the Stakeholder Salience Model Works
The model evaluates stakeholders based on three attributes:
1. Power: The ability of a stakeholder to influence decisions or impose their will. Power can be coercive (based on force), utilitarian (based on resources), or normative (based on symbolic influences).
2. Legitimacy: The perceived validity or appropriateness of a stakeholder's claim to involvement. This could be based on legal rights, moral claims, or contractual relationships.
3. Urgency: The degree to which a stakeholder's claim requires immediate attention. This involves time sensitivity and the criticality of the claim.
Based on which of these attributes a stakeholder possesses, they fall into one of these categories:
Stakeholders with ONE attribute: • Dormant Stakeholders (Power only): Have power but no legitimate relationship or urgent claim • Discretionary Stakeholders (Legitimacy only): Have a legitimate claim but no power or urgency • Demanding Stakeholders (Urgency only): Have urgent claims but no power or legitimacy
Stakeholders with TWO attributes: • Dominant Stakeholders (Power + Legitimacy): Have both power and legitimacy but no urgency • Dependent Stakeholders (Legitimacy + Urgency): Have legitimate and urgent claims but lack power • Dangerous Stakeholders (Power + Urgency): Have power and urgency but lack legitimacy
Stakeholders with ALL THREE attributes: • Definitive Stakeholders (Power + Legitimacy + Urgency): These stakeholders require immediate and focused attention
Non-stakeholders (No attributes): Entities with no power, legitimacy, or urgency regarding the project
Applying the Stakeholder Salience Model
1. Identify all potential stakeholders for your project or initiative 2. Assess each stakeholder against the three attributes (power, legitimacy, urgency) 3. Categorize stakeholders based on which attributes they possess 4. Develop appropriate engagement strategies for each stakeholder category 5. Regularly reassess as stakeholder attributes may change throughout the project lifecycle
Exam Tips: Answering Questions on Stakeholder Salience Model
• Know the definitions of the three key attributes (power, legitimacy, urgency) and how they interact • Memorize all seven stakeholder types and their corresponding attributes • Focus on application: Exams often present scenarios where you need to classify stakeholders • Look for clues in stakeholder descriptions that indicate their power, legitimacy, or urgency • Be prepared to recommend strategies for engaging with different stakeholder types • Remember that salience changes: Note that a stakeholder's classification may shift during a project • Connect to other stakeholder models: Be ready to compare the Salience Model with other frameworks like Power/Interest Grid • Consider ethical implications: Be prepared to discuss ethical considerations in prioritizing stakeholders • Use proper terminology from the model rather than everyday language • Provide examples to support your classifications when possible
By mastering the Stakeholder Salience Model, you'll enhance your ability to analyze stakeholder relationships effectively and develop appropriate engagement strategies—a critical skill for the PMI-PBA certification exam and real-world business analysis work.