Stakeholder Analysis and the Organizational Environment Jack Thompson, MSW, Senior Lecturer Department of Health Services Faculty, Northwest Center for Public Health Practice

Tools of the Trade – Stakeholders 1 You realize that there will be a number of key steps involved in carrying out your Board’s directive. First and foremost, you need to get a handle on all the players that will be involved, because you are pretty sure that not everyone is on the same page. Some will be enthusiastic about this new assignment, some will not be.

Tools of the Trade – Stakeholders 2 You will also have to think about key individuals and organizations in the community. You are hoping that some basic tools are available to help you with these important first steps.

Elements of Public Health Policy It is the intent of the legislature that health services be accessible to all communities in the...

The Policy Framework Identify and define the public policy issue Understand the economic and political context Identify the stakeholders, their values and interests Determine potential options for policy action Analyze strengths and weaknesses of options regarding science and values

Key Steps in Policy Development What is the issue? Who are the stakeholders? What are their interests? What are the policy options? What are the pros and cons? What are the unintended effects?

Stakeholder Identification People impacted People with influence over the issue People interested in success or failure Internal and external stakeholders Only people decide, not organizations

Stakeholder Analysis High Low POWER High Low INTEREST

Stakeholder Analysis High Low POWER High Low INTEREST Newspaper Editor Board of Health Member “Average Citizen” Mother of Health Department Client

HIGH LO W Power/Influence Interest HIGH (8) Consider both benefits and barriers at each stage

Force Field Analysis Overcoming Resistance to Change Education and communication Participation Facilitation and support Negotiation Manipulation and cooptation Coercion

Force Field Analysis Factors that Influence Strategies Degree of resistance Size and diversity of target group Facilitation and support The stakes Time frame Expertise in change management Staff/management dependency

Force Field Analysis DRIVINGDRIVING RESISTINGRESISTING

Policy Development as a Public Health Core Function “Used judiciously, the knowledge base of public health tempers the excesses of partisan politics and encourages just decisions. Technical knowledge will have the best effect, however, when used in the context of a positive appreciation for the democratic political process, by professionals who are politically, as well as technically, astute.” The Future of Public Health, Institute of Medicine, 1988

Characteristics of Collaborative Organizations Advisory Committee Commissions Consortia and Alliances From Turnock, BJ Public Health: What It Is and How It Works. Jones and Bartlett, 2004, p.244 Generally respond to organizations or programs by providing suggestions and technical assistance Usually consist of citizens appointed by official bodies Tend to be semiofficial, membership organizations; typically have broad policy- oriented goals, and may span large geographical areas; usually consist of organizations and coalitions, as opposed to individuals

Characteristics of Collaborative Organizations Networks Task forces From Turnock, BJ Public Health: What It Is and How It Works. Jones and Bartlett, 2004, p.244 Are generally loosely-knit groups, formed primarily for the purpose of resource and information sharing Most often come together to accomplish a specific series of activities, often at the request of an overseeing body