Adapting Your Approach by Stakeholder Type
graph TB
%% ========================================
%% START NODE
%% ========================================
START(["🎯 START<br/><br/>Stakeholder<br/>Identified"])
%% ========================================
%% FIRST DECISION: STAKEHOLDER CATEGORY
%% ========================================
CATEGORY{"What category?<br/><br/>Primary / Secondary / Tertiary"}
%% ========================================
%% PRIMARY STAKEHOLDER PATH
%% ========================================
PRIMARY["👥 PRIMARY<br/><br/>Direct experience<br/>with the problem"]
P_QUADRANT{"Power-Interest<br/>Level?"}
P_Q1["🤝 High Power<br/>High Interest<br/><br/>Partnership approach"]
P_Q3["👂 Low Power<br/>High Interest<br/><br/>Deep listening"]
P_FORMAT["📋 FORMATS<br/><br/>Focus groups<br/>Community meetings<br/>Home visits<br/><br/>⏱️ 60-90 min"]
%% ========================================
%% SECONDARY STAKEHOLDER PATH
%% ========================================
SECONDARY["🔍 SECONDARY<br/><br/>Influence, expertise<br/>or resources"]
S_QUADRANT{"Power-Interest<br/>Level?"}
S_Q1["🤝 High Power<br/>High Interest<br/><br/>Advisory role"]
S_Q2["📊 High Power<br/>Low Interest<br/><br/>Keep satisfied"]
S_FORMAT["📋 FORMATS<br/><br/>Expert panels<br/>Validation sessions<br/>Email updates<br/><br/>⏱️ 30-60 min"]
%% ========================================
%% TERTIARY STAKEHOLDER PATH
%% ========================================
TERTIARY["🔗 TERTIARY<br/><br/>Indirect interest<br/>broader context"]
T_QUADRANT{"Power-Interest<br/>Level?"}
T_Q1["📢 Strategic<br/>Updates<br/><br/>Potential partner"]
T_Q4["👀 Monitor<br/>Only<br/><br/>Minimal effort"]
T_FORMAT["📋 FORMATS<br/><br/>Phone/video calls<br/>Email newsletters<br/>Surveys<br/><br/>⏱️ 15-30 min"]
%% ========================================
%% FLOW CONNECTIONS
%% ========================================
START --> CATEGORY
CATEGORY -->|"Primary"| PRIMARY
CATEGORY -->|"Secondary"| SECONDARY
CATEGORY -->|"Tertiary"| TERTIARY
PRIMARY --> P_QUADRANT
P_QUADRANT --> P_Q1
P_QUADRANT --> P_Q3
P_Q1 --> P_FORMAT
P_Q3 --> P_FORMAT
SECONDARY --> S_QUADRANT
S_QUADRANT --> S_Q1
S_QUADRANT --> S_Q2
S_Q1 --> S_FORMAT
S_Q2 --> S_FORMAT
TERTIARY --> T_QUADRANT
T_QUADRANT --> T_Q1
T_QUADRANT --> T_Q4
T_Q1 --> T_FORMAT
T_Q4 --> T_FORMAT
%% ========================================
%% FESTA DESIGN SYSTEM COLORS (Light Tints)
%% ========================================
%% Start node - Light gray with dark text
style START fill:#E5E7EB,stroke:#6B7280,stroke-width:3px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
%% Category decision - Light gold
style CATEGORY fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:3px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
%% Primary stakeholder nodes - Light green tints
style PRIMARY fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:3px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
style P_QUADRANT fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
style P_Q1 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
style P_Q3 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
style P_FORMAT fill:#BBF7D0,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
%% Secondary stakeholder nodes - Light leaf tints
style SECONDARY fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:3px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
style S_QUADRANT fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
style S_Q1 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
style S_Q2 fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
style S_FORMAT fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
%% Tertiary stakeholder nodes - Light gray tints
style TERTIARY fill:#F6F6F6,stroke:#9CA3AF,stroke-width:3px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
style T_QUADRANT fill:#F6F6F6,stroke:#9CA3AF,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
style T_Q1 fill:#F6F6F6,stroke:#9CA3AF,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
style T_Q4 fill:#F6F6F6,stroke:#9CA3AF,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
style T_FORMAT fill:#E5E7EB,stroke:#9CA3AF,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
Strategy Selection Framework
Primary Stakeholders
Setting
Comfortable spaces for them, not offices.
Format
Open-ended conversations and focus groups.
Questions
Exploratory. Let them teach you.
Tone
Curious, non-judgmental. Learner, not expert.
Duration
Enough time to speak fully.
Follow-up
Show how their input mattered.
Secondary Stakeholders
Setting
Professional, or their preferred setting.
Format
Structured interviews or advisory meetings.
Questions
More direct. Share your Problem Tree.
Tone
Collaborative. Partners, not judges.
Duration
Respect their time.
Follow-up
Professional progress updates.
Tertiary Stakeholders
Setting
Flexible: phone or video.
Format
Brief consultations or surveys.
Questions
Focused on their expertise.
Tone
Informational and efficient.
Duration
15-30 minutes, usually.
Follow-up
Periodic, general updates.
Question Design Principles
✅ Effective Questions
"Can you describe what this challenge looks like in your daily life?"
Opens space without imposing your framework.
"In your experience, what are the main barriers people face?"
Uses their expertise to find what matters most.
"What approaches have you seen work well? What hasn't worked?"
Learns from history.
"If you could change three things, what would they be?"
Reveals priorities in their words.
"Who else do you think we should be talking to about this?"
Expands your network.
❌ Ineffective Questions
"Don't you think that X is the main problem here?"
Pressures agreement instead of exploring their view.
"Would you support our approach to address Y?"
Asks for validation before you've listened.
"How important is Z to you?" (without context)
Imposes your priorities, not theirs.
"Do you agree that our analysis is correct?"
Seeks confirmation, not understanding.
The Follow-Up Question is Often Most Valuable
Cultural Considerations
Respect Cultural Norms
- Research meeting protocols - greetings, seating, gift customs
- Consider gender and social dynamics - who speaks, who defers
- Respect religious scheduling - avoid prayer times
Build Trust Through Transparency
Explain Who You Are
Your role, and why you're asking.
Be Honest About Commitments
Only promise what you can keep.
Explain How Information Will Be Used
Who sees it, and how it shapes design.
Acknowledge Limitations
Admit what you don't know.
Create Safe Spaces
- Ensure confidentiality on sensitive topics
- Be aware of power dynamics that inhibit honesty
- Consider separate conversations for different groups
Red Flag: Extractive Engagement
What's Next?
Next: the Step-by-Step Guide, in order.
Ready for the Implementation Framework?
The 5-phase, 14-step process.