The Four-Quadrant Grid
Two dimensions:
- Power - ability to influence success
- Interest - how much they care
%%{init: {'theme':'base', 'themeVariables': {
'quadrant1Fill':'#D1FAE5',
'quadrant2Fill':'#FEF3C7',
'quadrant3Fill':'#F6F6F6',
'quadrant4Fill':'#ECFCCB',
'quadrant1TextFill':'#064E3B',
'quadrant2TextFill':'#78350F',
'quadrant3TextFill':'#525252',
'quadrant4TextFill':'#365314',
'quadrantPointFill':'#2A2A2A',
'quadrantPointTextFill':'#2A2A2A',
'quadrantXAxisTextFill':'#525252',
'quadrantYAxisTextFill':'#525252',
'quadrantTitleFill':'#2A2A2A'
}, 'quadrantChart': {'chartWidth': 600, 'chartHeight': 600, 'titleFontSize': 24, 'titlePadding': 20, 'quadrantLabelFontSize': 18, 'pointLabelFontSize': 14, 'pointRadius': 8, 'xAxisLabelFontSize': 16, 'yAxisLabelFontSize': 16}}}%%
quadrantChart
title Power-Interest Stakeholder Matrix
x-axis Low Interest --> High Interest
y-axis Low Power --> High Power
quadrant-1 Manage Closely
quadrant-2 Keep Satisfied
quadrant-3 Monitor
quadrant-4 Keep Informed
Community Leader: [0.85, 0.90]
Key Funder: [0.80, 0.85]
Department Head: [0.75, 0.80]
Municipal Official: [0.25, 0.85]
Ministry Director: [0.20, 0.75]
Partner Executive: [0.30, 0.70]
Community Members: [0.85, 0.25]
Grassroots Activists: [0.90, 0.30]
Youth Groups: [0.80, 0.20]
Adjacent NGO: [0.25, 0.25]
Academic Researcher: [0.30, 0.20]
Unrelated Officials: [0.20, 0.30]
Understanding the Four Quadrants
Manage Closely (green): partnership. Keep Satisfied (gold): communication. Keep Informed (leaf): information. Monitor (gray): minimal attention.
Quadrant 1: Manage Closely
Deep Partnership
Characteristics
- Significant influence over success or failure
- Powerful allies, or formidable opponents
- Worth real time investment
Examples
- Community leaders passionate about your cause
- Department heads with budget authority
- Local officials whose constituencies are affected
- Key funders committed to your cause
Engagement Tactics
✅ Regular one-on-one meetings
Build trust early.
✅ Collaborative planning
Give them real ownership.
✅ Transparent communication
Share what isn't working too.
✅ Shared accountability
Commit, then follow through.
Quadrant 2: Keep Satisfied
Focused Communication
Characteristics
- Significant influence, limited attention to your issue
- Want to stay informed, not deeply involved
- Could turn if they feel blindsided
Examples
- Municipal officials with many other responsibilities
- Ministry directors with broad portfolios
- Funders supporting multiple initiatives
Engagement Tactics
✅ Concise periodic updates
Brief reports on key decisions.
✅ Advance notice
Flag anything that affects them, early.
✅ Clear requests
Make asks clear, with context.
✅ Respect time constraints
Honor their schedule.
Quadrant 3: Keep Informed
Active Engagement
Characteristics
- Care deeply, but limited formal authority
- Closest to the problem, richest insights
- May become advocates if engaged well
Examples
- Community members directly affected by the problem
- Volunteers and activists without institutional backing
- Grassroots organizations with high commitment and trust
Engagement Tactics
✅ Community meetings
Gatherings where they feel heard.
✅ Regular updates
Use channels they already trust.
✅ Input opportunities
Real feedback on design.
✅ Recognition
Thank them publicly.
This Quadrant Often Holds Your Most Valuable Insights
Don't underestimate them. They often understand the problem best.
Quadrant 4: Monitor
Minimal Engagement
Characteristics
- Limited influence and limited attention
- Worth monitoring, not real investment
- Could shift quadrants as things evolve
Examples
- Organizations in adjacent sectors, peripheral connection
- Officials from unrelated government departments
- Researchers studying different aspects of your issue
Engagement Tactics
✅ Occasional updates
Broad newsletters, nothing intensive.
✅ Position monitoring
Watch for shifting interest.
✅ Network inclusion
Add to a mailing list.
✅ Readiness to escalate
Act if they shift quadrants.
Movement Between Quadrants
Dynamic Stakeholder Positions
A stakeholder might:
- Gain interest as impacts become clearer
- Gain power through promotion or new role
What's Next?
Next: engagement strategies for each stakeholder type.
Ready to Design Your Engagement Approach?
Adapt questions and format to each type.