What is included in the stakeholder engagement toolkit?
The Tractivity stakeholder engagement toolkit is a free Excel workbook containing six templates: a stakeholder register, a power-interest grid (Mendelow matrix) that auto-populates from the register, an engagement plan, a communications log, an engagement risk register, and an issues and commitments tracker. It covers every stage of a stakeholder engagement programme for a single project.
What is a stakeholder mapping template?
A stakeholder mapping template is a structured document or spreadsheet used to identify and categorise stakeholders by their level of influence and interest in a project. The most widely used format is the power-interest grid (Mendelow matrix), which places stakeholders into four quadrants: manage closely, keep satisfied, keep informed, and monitor, to guide engagement strategy. The Tractivity toolkit includes a stakeholder register and an auto-populated power-interest grid as part of a free downloadable workbook.
What should a stakeholder engagement plan template include?
A stakeholder engagement plan template should set out the objectives for engaging each stakeholder or group, the key messages to be communicated, the activities and channels to be used, the responsible owner for each activity, and the intended timing. For regulated-sector projects, it should also link to a communications log so there is an auditable record of interactions. The Tractivity toolkit provides a ready-to-use engagement plan template alongside five other workbook components.
What is the Mendelow matrix (power-interest grid) and how do I use it?
The Mendelow matrix - also called the power-interest grid or stakeholder matrix - is a two-by-two framework that plots stakeholders on axes of power (influence over the project) and interest (how much the project affects them). The four quadrants indicate recommended strategies: high power, high interest - manage closely; high power, low interest - keep satisfied; low power, high interest - keep informed; low power, low interest - monitor. In the Tractivity toolkit, the grid is populated automatically from the stakeholder register, so teams do not need to plot stakeholders manually.
Is the stakeholder engagement toolkit free?
Yes. The Tractivity stakeholder engagement toolkit is entirely free to download. A short form is required: work email, organisation, role and sector, and the workbook is delivered by email. There is no charge and no obligation.
Who is the stakeholder engagement toolkit designed for?
The toolkit is designed for stakeholder engagement leads, communications professionals, programme and project managers, and external relations and public affairs teams in UK public-sector and regulated-industry organisations, including energy, water, transport, local government, NHS and central government. It is built around the practical requirements of teams that face regulatory scrutiny and may need to demonstrate a complete engagement audit trail.
What is the difference between the free toolkit and Tractivity software?
The free toolkit works well for managing stakeholder engagement on a single project. Tractivity is stakeholder relationship management (SRM) software designed for organisations running multiple simultaneous projects where the same stakeholders may appear across several programmes. Tractivity provides a single shared stakeholder record, a live audit trail suitable for regulatory and FOI requests, and board-level reporting. It is used by organisations including National Grid, SSEN, EDF, Severn Trent, Anglian Water and the NHS.
What is a communications log and why is it important for stakeholder engagement?
A communications log is a dated record of every interaction, both inbound from stakeholders and outbound from the project team. It is important because regulators, planning inspectors and Freedom of Information (FOI) requests may require evidence of engagement activity and its timing. A complete communications log demonstrates that consultation obligations have been met and supports the Gunning Principles of fair consultation. The Tractivity toolkit includes a communications log template as one of its six components.
How does the issues and commitments tracker work?
The issues and commitments tracker records what stakeholders raised during engagement, concerns, objections, requests, alongside the commitment or response given by the project team, and whether each commitment has been fulfilled. This creates an accountability record that is increasingly expected by regulators, planning inspectors and community groups, particularly on nationally significant infrastructure projects (NSIPs) and in sectors governed by Ofwat, Ofgem and the Planning Inspectorate.
What is stakeholder relationship management (SRM) software?
Stakeholder relationship management (SRM) software is a platform that centralises stakeholder data, engagement records and communications across multiple projects and teams. Unlike a spreadsheet-based toolkit, SRM software provides a shared record that multiple colleagues can access simultaneously, automatic version control, a full audit trail, and reporting tools for boards and regulators. Tractivity is an SRM platform used for over 25 years in UK-regulated sectors including energy, water, transport, local government and the NHS.
