Enterprise Architecture Blog Posts
Need a little more room to share your thoughts with the community? Post a blog in the SAP Enterprise Architecture group to explain the more complex topics.
cancel
Turn on suggestions
Auto-suggest helps you quickly narrow down your search results by suggesting possible matches as you type.
Showing results for 
Search instead for 
Did you mean: 
Read only

Unveiling the ADM Artifacts I : The Architecture Vision Starts Here with the Stakeholder Engagement

JansiMurugesan
Product and Topic Expert
Product and Topic Expert
‎2025 Feb 16 12:23 AM
1,906

What is Stakeholder Engagement map

A Stakeholder Engagement Map identifies all the key individuals or groups involved in an architecture initiative, evaluates their level of influence and interest, and outlines how to engage them effectively throughout the process. It helps ensure that no stakeholder is overlooked, and it clarifies how each will be involved in shaping the architecture vision and its eventual implementation.

Why the Stakeholder Engagement Map Matters in EA

A well-crafted Stakeholder Engagement Map allows businesses to:

  • Prioritize engagement: Focus on key stakeholders based on their influence and attitude, ensuring the right people are engaged at the right time.
  • Manage risks: Address concerns of resistors early to prevent risks from derailing the project.
  • Leverage support: Empower promoters and enthusiasts to build momentum and encourage collaboration.
  • Align the vision: Ensure all stakeholders are aligned with the architecture vision for greater project success.

Role of Stakeholder Engagement in ADM Phases

The TOGAF ADM (Architecture Development Method) offers a structured approach to enterprise architecture. In the first phase—Architecture Vision—the goal is to align business goals with IT solutions. A key artifact is the Stakeholder Engagement Map, which identifies and assesses stakeholders.

This phase ensures early identification of stakeholders and understanding of their concerns, objectives, and influence. This enables the architecture team to define a vision that aligns with all parties and guides architectural changes.

1.png

The stakeholder engagement map is key in the SAP Enterprise Architecture (EA) Methodology. As shown in the Metro Map overview, it’s the first focus, helping identify involved stakeholders, their influence, and how to address their interests at each stage. This ensures the enterprise architecture aligns business strategy with IT capabilities and secures the right stakeholder support throughout the process.

2.png

 

Creating a Stakeholder Engagement Map

Let's create a Stakeholder Engagement Map for the online retail store use case from my earlier blog aimed at improving customer satisfaction. As time being, it is a small business improvement initiative, and we consider incorporating Business AI into our strategy moving forward. By identifying key stakeholders in the order fulfillment process, we can pinpoint areas for improvement and enhance the customer experience.Here's a step-by-step guide:

1. Identify Stakeholders and Categorise

List stakeholders who impact or are affected by the transformation and categorize them by influence, interest, and impact. This includes both internal and external parties. Let's name a few key stakeholders for a project focused on improving customer satisfaction through order fulfillment:

  • Sarah (Warehouse Operations Manager): Manages inventory, picking, packing, and shipping accuracy.
  • Mike (Customer Service Representative): Handles inquiries and complaints related to order fulfillment, impacting customer satisfaction.
  • John (Head of IT/Technology): Develops or upgrades e-commerce platforms and order management systems to ensure accurate order processing.
  • David (Junior Logistics Coordinator): Works with third-party carriers or internal logistics teams, impacting delivery speed and accuracy.

2. Assess Power/Influence and Analyze Needs/Expectations

To understand what stakeholders, expect, you first need to identify their goals and concerns. This can be done by collecting information through surveys, interviews, and reports that show their views. Then, based on what you learn, you can group stakeholders by two main factors: Power/Influence and Interest/Concern/Attitude.

  • Power/Influence shows how much control a stakeholder has over the project’s success or failure.
  • Interest/Concern/Attitude shows how much a stakeholder cares about the project and how their feelings could affect it.

This method helps you better understand where each stakeholder stands, which makes it easier to manage communication and meet their expectations. Based on the interview results from Sara, Mike, John, and David, we can map their insights to four key roles in Enterprise Architecture (EA).

  • Opponents (Low Power/Influence, Negative Attitude): Resist change due to concerns about added work, like David, the Logistics Coordinator, worried about team pressure.
  • Enthusiasts (Low Power/Influence, Positive Attitude): Support change for its potential benefits, like Mike, the Customer Service Rep, who believes it will improve customer satisfaction.
  • Resisters (High Power/Influence, Negative Attitude): Resist change despite their influence, like John, the Head of IT/Tech, concerned about complexity and resources.
  • Promoters (High Power/Influence, Positive Attitude): Strongly support and push for change, like Sarah, the Warehouse Operations Manager, who sees it as key for efficiency

3. Develop Engagement Strategies

Based on the analysis of stakeholder needs and their power-interest levels, develop specific engagement strategies.

  • Promoters: Keep them involved, use their influence, communicate openly and involve them in decision-making.
  • Enthusiasts: Support them, update them regularly, let them share opinions
  • Resisters: Address concerns, involve them in solving problems, and keep them satisfied.
  • Opponents: Monitor their concerns, focus on key people, and give basic updates.

We can also define their engagement levels in the subsequent ADM Phases, with the mapping of David, Sara, John, and Mike across these phases provided here.

3.png

4. Visualize the Stakeholder Map

Create a visual representation of stakeholders using charts, grids, or diagrams in tools like PowerPoint, Excel, or specialized mapping software to depict their power and interest levels.

Stakeholder Map in ExcelStakeholder Map in Excel

5. Define Communication Plan

Adjust communication methods and frequency for each stakeholder based on their interest and influence, choosing the right medium—like emails, meetings, newsletters and making sure the message suits their needs.

6. Monitor and Update the Map

Continuously monitor changes in stakeholder influence or interest as the project moves forward, and adjust engagement strategies if their concerns or priorities shift.

7. Evaluate Engagement Effectiveness

Evaluate the effectiveness of your stakeholder engagement plan based on feedback and project outcomes, and adjust strategies as needed to ensure positive stakeholder relationships are maintained.

I hope this guides you to better understand the importance of stakeholder engagement in enterprise architecture. By engaging stakeholders effectively during the TOGAF ADM process, organizations can achieve better results and reduce risks.

As we continue this series, we’ll explore more artifacts that play an important role in building a strong and well-aligned enterprise architecture.