The first step is to discuss and agree on the problem or issue to be analyzed. Next is to identify the causes of the essential problem – which are the roots – and then identify the consequences, which become the branches. The heart of the exercise is discussions, debates and dialogues that are produced as points are configured and reconfigured, often forming more and more roots. Is-l’s Not Analysis is a method of narrowing down or focusing by successively skiing both ‘What is it? ” and “What is it not? A major benefit of the Is-l’s Not Analysis is its documentation of circumstances leading to the problem as well as those not associated with the problem. It is a particularly useful tool in various situations in which careful analysis is needed. For instance, if you’re trying to answer the question, “What business are we in? ” creating a two column Is/l’s Not worksheet, and then listing ? in beneficial terms ? what you do provide customers, and what you do not provide, can help bring your business’s scope onto a more essential clearer focus.
Some questions asked could be: Who is/ is not affected? What are/are not symptoms of the problem? Where does the problem occur/not occur? What does/does not make a difference in how quickly and efficiently we accomplish our objectives? By answering these questions, you decide the scope of what is and is not important or relevant enough to be a focus of attention at this time. The value of Is/l’s Not analysis for problem solving is that it helps insure both that the right problem is investigated, and that the root causes of the problem are identified.
Stakeholder Management is an important discipline that successful people use to win support from others. It helps them ensure that their projects succeed where others fail. Stakeholder Analysis is the technique used to identify the key people who have to be won over. You use Stakeholder Planning to build the support that helps you succeed. The first step in Stakeholder Analysis is to identify who your stakeholders are. The next step is to work out their power, influence and interest, o you know who you should focus on.
The final step is to develop a good understanding of the most important stakeholders so that you know how they are likely to respond, and so that you can work out how to win their support. As the work you do and the projects you run become more important, you will affect more and more people. Some of these people have the power to undermine your projects and your position. Others may be strong supporters of your work. Stakeholder Analysis is where you identify and start to understand your most important stakeholders.
