Step-by-Step Implementation Guide

graph TB
    %% ========================================
    %% START NODE
    %% ========================================

    START(["🎯 START<br/><br/>Problem Tree<br/>Draft Complete"])

    %% ========================================
    %% PHASE 1: STAKEHOLDER IDENTIFICATION
    %% ========================================

    subgraph P1["📋 PHASE 1: IDENTIFICATION (30-45 min)"]
        STEP1["Step 1<br/>Brainstorm List<br/>⏱️ 15 min"]
        STEP2["Step 2<br/>Categorize<br/>⏱️ 10 min"]
        STEP3["Step 3<br/>Add Details<br/>⏱️ 10-15 min"]
        STEP1 --> STEP2 --> STEP3
    end

    %% ========================================
    %% PHASE 2: POWER-INTEREST MAPPING
    %% ========================================

    subgraph P2["📊 PHASE 2: MAPPING (20-30 min)"]
        STEP4["Step 4<br/>Assess Power<br/>⏱️ 10 min"]
        STEP5["Step 5<br/>Assess Interest<br/>⏱️ 5 min"]
        STEP6["Step 6<br/>Plot on Grid<br/>⏱️ 10-15 min"]
        STEP4 --> STEP5 --> STEP6
    end

    %% ========================================
    %% PHASE 3: ENGAGEMENT PLANNING
    %% ========================================

    subgraph P3["🎯 PHASE 3: PLANNING (45-60 min)"]
        STEP7["Step 7<br/>Design Strategy<br/>⏱️ 15 min"]
        STEP8["Step 8<br/>Prepare Questions<br/>⏱️ 15 min"]
        STEP9["Step 9<br/>Create Timeline<br/>⏱️ 15-30 min"]
        STEP7 --> STEP8 --> STEP9
    end

    %% ========================================
    %% PHASE 4: CONDUCTING ENGAGEMENT
    %% ========================================

    subgraph P4["💬 PHASE 4: EXECUTION (2-3 weeks)"]
        STEP10["Step 10<br/>Execute<br/>Conversations"]
        STEP11["Step 11<br/>Document<br/>Insights"]
        DECISION{"More<br/>stakeholders?"}
        STEP10 --> STEP11 --> DECISION
        DECISION -->|"Yes"| STEP10
    end

    %% ========================================
    %% PHASE 5: INTEGRATION & SYNTHESIS
    %% ========================================

    subgraph P5["🔄 PHASE 5: SYNTHESIS (45-60 min)"]
        STEP12["Step 12<br/>Analyze Patterns<br/>⏱️ 20 min"]
        STEP13["Step 13<br/>Update Tree<br/>⏱️ 15 min"]
        STEP14["Step 14<br/>Plan Follow-up<br/>⏱️ 10-15 min"]
        STEP12 --> STEP13 --> STEP14
    end

    END(["✅ COMPLETE<br/><br/>Validated Problem Tree<br/>+ Stakeholder<br/>Relationships"])

    %% ========================================
    %% MAIN FLOW CONNECTIONS
    %% ========================================

    START --> P1
    P1 --> P2
    P2 --> P3
    P3 --> P4
    DECISION -->|"No"| P5
    P5 --> END

    %% ========================================
    %% FEEDBACK LOOPS (DOTTED)
    %% ========================================

    STEP12 -.New stakeholders.-> STEP1
    STEP14 -.More validation.-> STEP10

    %% ========================================
    %% FESTA DESIGN SYSTEM COLORS (Light Tints)
    %% ========================================

    %% Start/End nodes
    style START fill:#E5E7EB,stroke:#6B7280,stroke-width:3px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold
    style END fill:#007F4E,stroke:#00b369,stroke-width:3px,color:#fff,font-weight:bold

    %% Phase 1 - Light Gold
    style P1 fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP1 fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP2 fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP3 fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A

    %% Phase 2 - Light Leaf
    style P2 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP4 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP5 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP6 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A

    %% Phase 3 - Light Green
    style P3 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP7 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP8 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP9 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A

    %% Phase 4 - Light Green (execution)
    style P4 fill:#BBF7D0,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP10 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP11 fill:#D1FAE5,stroke:#10B981,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style DECISION fill:#FEF3C7,stroke:#F59E0B,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A,font-weight:bold

    %% Phase 5 - Light Leaf (synthesis)
    style P5 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP12 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP13 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A
    style STEP14 fill:#ECFCCB,stroke:#72B043,stroke-width:2px,color:#2A2A2A

Phase 1: Stakeholder Identification (30-45 minutes)

Start by casting a wide net to identify everyone who might be relevant to your project.

Step 1: Brainstorm Comprehensive List

What to do:

Use these prompting questions to generate your initial stakeholder list:

• Who experiences the problem directly?
• Who has tried to solve this problem before?
• Who has resources that could help address it?
• Who makes decisions that affect this issue?
• Who has expertise about this problem or population?
• Who might oppose solutions or create barriers?
• Who influences the people most affected?
• Who controls relevant budgets or policies?

Time estimate: 15 minutes

Step 2: Categorize by Relationship to Problem

What to do:

Sort your stakeholder list into three categories:

• Primary: Direct experience or direct impact from solutions
• Secondary: Significant influence, expertise, or resources
• Tertiary: Indirect interest or influence

Time estimate: 10 minutes

Step 3: Add Demographic and Contextual Details

What to do:

For each stakeholder, note:

• Specific role or position
• Location and how to reach them
• Language preferences or communication styles
• Potential scheduling or logistical considerations

Time estimate: 10-15 minutes

Phase 2: Power-Interest Mapping (20-30 minutes)

Now assess each stakeholder's power and interest levels to determine your engagement strategy.

Step 4: Assess Power Levels

What to do:

For each stakeholder, consider:

• Formal authority - Official decision-making power
• Resource control - Access to funding, staff, or facilities
• Influence networks - Ability to sway others' opinions
• Expertise credibility - Respected knowledge in the field
• Community standing - Social influence and respect

Rate each stakeholder as having high or low power relative to your project.

Time estimate: 10 minutes

Step 5: Assess Interest Levels

What to do:

For each stakeholder, consider:

• Direct impact - How much the issue affects them personally
• Professional responsibility - Whether it relates to their work
• Values alignment - How much they care about the cause
• Historical engagement - Past involvement in related issues
• Stated priorities - What they publicly say they care about

Rate each stakeholder as having high or low interest in your issue.

Time estimate: 10 minutes

Step 6: Plot on Power-Interest Grid

What to do:

Place each stakeholder in the appropriate quadrant:

• High Power/High Interest: Manage Closely (deep partnership)
• High Power/Low Interest: Keep Satisfied (focused communication)
• Low Power/High Interest: Keep Informed (active engagement)
• Low Power/Low Interest: Monitor (minimal engagement)

For each stakeholder, note:

• Their primary concerns or motivations
• Preferred communication styles and channels
• Potential barriers to engagement
• Opportunities for mutual benefit

Time estimate: 10 minutes

Phase 3: Engagement Planning (45-60 minutes)

Design your specific engagement strategy for each stakeholder or stakeholder group.

Step 7: Design Engagement Strategy by Quadrant

What to do:

For each power-interest quadrant, plan:

• High Power/High Interest: Plan for collaborative partnerships—multiple touchpoints, co-creation opportunities, shared decision-making
• High Power/Low Interest: Design efficient, informative communications—concise updates, clear asks when needed, advance notice of key decisions
• Low Power/High Interest: Create opportunities for meaningful input—community meetings, focus groups, regular updates through accessible channels
• Low Power/Low Interest: Develop monitoring and minimal engagement approach—broad communications, readiness to escalate if position changes

Time estimate: 15 minutes

Step 8: Prepare Stakeholder-Specific Questions

What to do:

Starting with your validation questions from Lesson 1.1:

• Adapt language and framing for each audience
• Consider their expertise and perspective
• Plan follow-up probes for deeper understanding
• Prepare to share relevant context they might need

Example adaptation:

Time estimate: 20 minutes

Step 9: Create Engagement Timeline

What to do:

• Prioritize high-power/high-interest stakeholders for early engagement
• Sequence conversations to build on each other
• Allow time for multiple touchpoints with key stakeholders
• Plan for synthesis and integration time between conversations

Typical timeline:

• Week 1: High power/high interest stakeholders (3-5 conversations)
• Week 2: Low power/high interest stakeholders (5-10 conversations)
• Week 3: High power/low interest + follow-ups (3-5 conversations)

Time estimate: 15 minutes

Phase 4: Conducting Engagement (2-3 weeks)

Execute your planned conversations systematically and document insights as you go.

Step 10: Execute Conversations Systematically

What to do:

• Confirm logistics and send prep materials if needed
• Start each conversation by building rapport and explaining context
• Use your prepared questions as a guide, not a rigid script
• Take detailed notes or (with permission) record conversations
• End by asking for additional contacts or resources

Conversation structure:

1. Opening (5 minutes): Build rapport, explain purpose, get consent
2. Context sharing (5 minutes): Brief overview of your project and preliminary findings
3. Core questions (20-30 minutes): Follow your prepared questions with thoughtful follow-ups
4. Closing (5 minutes): Thank them, explain next steps, ask for referrals

Time estimate: 30-60 minutes per conversation × number of stakeholders

Step 11: Document Insights Immediately

What to do:

After each conversation, record:

• Key insights about your Problem Tree assumptions
• Surprising information or perspectives you hadn't considered
• Specific quotes or examples that illustrate important points
• Questions or concerns the stakeholder raised
• Potential for ongoing partnership or collaboration

Time estimate: 15-20 minutes per conversation

Phase 5: Integration and Synthesis (45-60 minutes)

Now synthesize all your stakeholder insights and update your Problem Tree based on what you learned.

Step 12: Analyze Patterns Across Conversations

What to do:

Review all your conversation notes and look for:

• Which assumptions were validated? Which were challenged?
• What themes emerged across multiple stakeholders?
• Where did you get contradictory or conflicting information?
• What new causes, effects, or dynamics were identified?

Time estimate: 20 minutes

Step 13: Update Your Problem Tree

What to do:

• Convert validated assumptions from (A) to (E)
• Add new causes or effects that emerged from conversations
• Revise problem statement if community input suggests changes
• Note remaining uncertainties that need further exploration

Before:

After stakeholder engagement:

Time estimate: 20 minutes

Step 14: Plan Follow-up and Ongoing Engagement

What to do:

• Share key findings with stakeholders who provided input
• Identify stakeholders you want to engage throughout project implementation
• Document relationship-building progress and future opportunities
• Update your stakeholder map based on new connections and insights

Time estimate: 15 minutes

Progress Checklist

Use this checklist to track your progress through all 14 steps:

Common Questions

What's Next?

You now have a complete implementation framework. Download the templates and worksheets to guide your execution, then review the quality indicators to ensure your engagement is effective.