STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS

The single most important step to prior to contacting communities is to conduct extensive research into the community history, governing parties, culture and tradition. By systematically gathering qualitative information about stakeholders, NWRM is able to determine whose interests should be taken into account when developing a research and monitoring program.

NWRM focuses on First Nation stakeholders (persons and organizations) who could potentially have a vested interest in the research and monitoring being conducted. The analysis includes knowledge of the work required, interests related to the work and the ability to affect the research and monitoring process.

The analysis is useful as it identifies the key actors. By assessing their knowledge, interests and positions related to the research, this allows program managers to interact more effectively and to increase support for the proposed work. When this analysis is done prior to work taking place, there is time for managers to detect and act to prevent potential misunderstandings and and/or opposition to the proposed work. Stakeholder analysis increases the success of carrying out a successful monitoring program.