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Stakeholder Salience Model

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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.

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PMI-PBA - Stakeholder Analysis and Engagement Example Questions

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Question 1

According to the Stakeholder Salience Model, what type of stakeholder possesses both legitimacy and urgency attributes but lacks power?

Correct Answer: Dependent stakeholder

In the Stakeholder Salience Model, a dependent stakeholder is characterized by having legitimacy and urgency, but lacks power. These stakeholders have valid and urgent claims but must rely on other stakeholders or organizational goodwill to advance their interests since they lack power. The demanding stakeholder only has urgency, making them vocal but less influential since they lack both power and legitimacy. A discretionary stakeholder only possesses legitimacy, lacking both power and urgency. They typically have moral claims but do not press for immediate attention. A dominant stakeholder has both power and legitimacy but lacks urgency. They have significant influence and valid claims but may not require immediate attention to their needs. The key distinction of dependent stakeholders is their reliance on others due to having valid (legitimate) and pressing (urgent) claims but no power to enforce them independently.

Question 2

In the Stakeholder Salience Model, which combination of attributes indicates a 'Dominant' stakeholder?

Correct Answer: Power and Legitimacy

In the Stakeholder Salience Model, a 'Dominant' stakeholder is characterized by having both Power and Legitimacy attributes. This combination makes them influential in project decisions because: - Power gives them the ability to influence project outcomes - Legitimacy means their claims are proper or appropriate within the system The other answers are incorrect because: - Having Power and Urgency makes a stakeholder 'Dangerous', not Dominant - Legitimacy and Urgency creates a 'Dependent' stakeholder - Having all three attributes (Power, Legitimacy, and Urgency) makes a stakeholder 'Definitive' Dominant stakeholders are important project participants whose interests and expectations must be considered, as they have both the authority and rightful standing to influence project outcomes.

Question 3

In the Stakeholder Salience Model, what term describes a stakeholder who possesses both power and urgency attributes?

Correct Answer: Dangerous stakeholder

In the Stakeholder Salience Model, 'Dangerous stakeholder' is the correct term for stakeholders who possess both power and urgency attributes but lack legitimacy. Here's why: - Power: The ability to influence the organization - Urgency: Time-sensitive claims or immediate attention required - When combined: Creates a 'dangerous' situation as these stakeholders can use their power coercively due to their urgent demands The other options are incorrect because: - 'Demanding stakeholder with high influence' suggests influence (power) but doesn't accurately capture the urgency component - 'Strategic stakeholder with time-sensitive needs' focuses on the time element but misses the power dynamic - 'Dominant stakeholder exercising urgent claims' is close but incorrect terminology - dominant stakeholders in the model possess power and legitimacy, not power and urgency The term 'dangerous stakeholder' is the specific classification used in the Mitchell, Agle, and Wood (1997) Stakeholder Salience Model for this particular combination of attributes.

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