Strategic Architect Framework: Microsoft CSA Training Program

Shadow Stakeholder Map

Module 01: Advanced Discovery

Purpose: Map every person with influence over this engagement who was not in the room. Use the three diagnostic questions, Veto, Budget, and Downstream Ownership, to surface them. Update this map throughout the engagement; shadow stakeholders emerge at every phase.

Customer / Engagement

Updated

The Three Diagnostic Questions

Ask your primary sponsor one version of each question. Their hesitations and qualifications are as valuable as their answers.

▶ Veto Question

"If this project got to final approval and then stopped, who would most likely have pulled the brake?"

Response / names surfaced

▶ Budget Question

"Is there anyone in Finance or Procurement who would need to review this before it's signed?"

Response / names surfaced

▶ Downstream Ownership Question

"Once this is built, who are the people whose daily work changes most? Have they been part of the conversation?"

Response / names surfaced

Full Stakeholder Map

Column definitions: Influence Type = Veto / Budget Authority / Downstream Owner / Peer Influencer / Political Ally or Blocker. Status = Engaged / Aware / Unaware / Resistant.

Name & Role	Influence Type	Status	What do they want / fear?	Required Action & Owner

Influence Network Sketch

Draw the org chart as you understand it: formal reporting lines in solid lines, informal influence in dashed lines. Mark shadow stakeholders with a triangle (▲) and engaged stakeholders with a circle (●).

Priority Action Plan

List the three most important shadow stakeholder actions, in order of urgency.

#	Stakeholder	Action	Who Does It	By When
1
2
3

Highest-Risk Shadow Stakeholder

Name / Role

Why they are highest risk (veto power, timeline proximity, relationship gap)

Smallest credible first step to engage them