arckit-stakeholders

$npx mdskill add tractorjuice/arc-kit/arckit-stakeholders

Map stakeholder drivers to measurable project outcomes

  • Aligns stakeholder motivations with project goals and deliverables
  • Scans project directories for context and external reference docs
  • Prioritizes outcomes based on stakeholder impact and project stage
  • Outputs clear outcome definitions tied to specific stakeholder needs
SKILL.md
.github/skills/arckit-stakeholdersView on GitHub ↗
---
name: arckit-stakeholders
description: "Analyze stakeholder drivers, goals, and measurable outcomes"
---

You are helping an enterprise architect or project manager understand stakeholder drivers, how they manifest into goals, and what measurable outcomes will satisfy each stakeholder.

## User Input

```text
$ARGUMENTS
```

## Instructions

> **Note**: Before generating, scan `projects/` for existing project directories. For each project, list all `ARC-*.md` artifacts, check `external/` for reference documents, and check `000-global/` for cross-project policies. If no external docs exist but they would improve output, ask the user.

1. **Identify the target project**:
   - Use the **ArcKit Project Context** (above) to find the project matching the user's input (by name or number)
   - If no match, create a new project:
     1. Use Glob to list `projects/*/` directories and find the highest `NNN-*` number (or start at `001` if none exist)
     2. Calculate the next number (zero-padded to 3 digits, e.g., `002`)
     3. Slugify the project name (lowercase, replace non-alphanumeric with hyphens, trim)
     4. Use the Write tool to create `projects/{NNN}-{slug}/README.md` with the project name, ID, and date — the Write tool will create all parent directories automatically
     5. Also create `projects/{NNN}-{slug}/external/README.md` with a note to place external reference documents here
     6. Set `PROJECT_ID` = the 3-digit number, `PROJECT_PATH` = the new directory path

2. **Read the template** (with user override support):
   - **First**, check if `.arckit/templates/stakeholder-drivers-template.md` exists in the project root
   - **If found**: Read the user's customized template (user override takes precedence)
   - **If not found**: Read `.arckit/templates/stakeholder-drivers-template.md` (default)
   - **Update Template Version**: Replace the version in the template metadata line with `{ARCKIT_VERSION}` from the session context

   > **Tip**: Users can customize templates with `$arckit-customize stakeholder-drivers`

3. **Read existing artifacts** from the project context:
   - **PRIN** (Architecture Principles, in 000-global) — read to understand organizational context
   - **REQ** (Requirements) — read to understand stakeholder mentions
   - Use this context to make the analysis more realistic and aligned

4. **Read external documents and policies**:
   - Read any **external documents** listed in the project context (`external/` files) — extract organizational hierarchy, reporting lines, governance boards, decision-making authority
   - Read any **enterprise standards** in `projects/000-global/external/` — extract enterprise org charts, governance structures, RACI templates
   - If no external docs exist but they would improve stakeholder analysis, ask: "Do you have any organizational charts, governance structures, or existing stakeholder maps? I can read PDFs and images directly. Place them in `projects/{project-dir}/external/` and re-run, or skip."
   - **Citation traceability**: When referencing content from external documents, follow the citation instructions in `.arckit/references/citation-instructions.md`. Place inline citation markers (e.g., `[PP-C1]`) next to findings informed by source documents and populate the "External References" section in the template.

5. **Analyze and generate stakeholder drivers analysis** based on user input:

   **Phase 1: Identify Stakeholders**
   - List all relevant internal stakeholders (executives, business units, technical teams, operations, compliance, security, finance)
   - List external stakeholders (regulators, customers, vendors, partners)
   - Create a Power-Interest grid using **ASCII box diagram** showing who needs what level of engagement
   - Include a table with stakeholder details (Power, Interest, Quadrant, Engagement Strategy)

   **Phase 2: Understand Drivers**
   For each key stakeholder, identify:
   - **STRATEGIC drivers**: Competitive advantage, market position, innovation
   - **OPERATIONAL drivers**: Efficiency, quality, speed, reliability
   - **FINANCIAL drivers**: Cost reduction, revenue growth, ROI
   - **COMPLIANCE drivers**: Regulatory requirements, audit findings, risk mitigation
   - **PERSONAL drivers**: Career advancement, workload reduction, reputation
   - **RISK drivers**: Avoiding penalties, preventing failures, reducing exposure
   - **CUSTOMER drivers**: Satisfaction, retention, acquisition

   For each driver, document:
   - Clear driver statement (what motivates them)
   - Context & background (why this exists)
   - Intensity (CRITICAL | HIGH | MEDIUM | LOW)
   - Enablers (what would help)
   - Blockers (what would hinder)

   **Phase 3: Map Drivers to Goals**
   - Convert each driver into specific, measurable SMART goals
   - Show which drivers feed into which goals (one goal may satisfy multiple drivers)
   - Define success metrics, baselines, targets, and measurement methods
   - Identify dependencies and risks to goal achievement

   Example: Driver "Reduce operational costs" → Goal "Reduce invoice processing time from 7 days to 2 days by Q2 2026"

   **Phase 4: Map Goals to Outcomes**
   - Define measurable business outcomes that prove goals are achieved
   - Specify KPIs, current values, target values, measurement frequency
   - Quantify business value (financial, strategic, operational, customer impact)
   - Define timeline with phase targets
   - Identify leading indicators (early signals) and lagging indicators (final proof)

   Example: Goal "Reduce processing time" → Outcome "30% operational efficiency increase measured by transactions per FTE"

   **Phase 5: Traceability Matrix**
   - Create complete Stakeholder → Driver → Goal → Outcome traceability table
   - Identify conflicts (competing drivers between stakeholders)
   - Identify synergies (drivers that align across stakeholders)
   - Propose resolution strategies for conflicts

   **Phase 6: Engagement Plan**
   - Create stakeholder-specific messaging addressing their drivers
   - Define communication frequency and channels
   - Assess change impact and resistance risk
   - Identify champions, fence-sitters, and resisters

   **Phase 7: Governance**
   - Define RACI matrix for key decisions
   - Document escalation path
   - Create risk register for stakeholder-related risks

6. **Make it actionable and realistic**:
   - Use real-world metrics and timeframes
   - Be specific about measurement methods
   - Acknowledge conflicts honestly
   - Provide practical resolution strategies
   - Include both quantitative and qualitative measures
   - Consider UK Government context if applicable (Minister accountability, public scrutiny, parliamentary questions, transparency requirements, GovS 005 digital governance roles including SRO, Service Owner, CDDO, and DDaT Profession Lead)

Before writing the file, read `.arckit/references/quality-checklist.md` and verify all **Common Checks** plus the **STKE** per-type checks pass. Fix any failures before proceeding.

7. **Write the output**:
   - Write to `projects/{project-dir}/ARC-{PROJECT_ID}-STKE-v1.0.md`
   - Use the exact template structure
   - Fill in ALL sections with realistic, thoughtful analysis
   - DO NOT leave sections as TBD unless genuinely unknown

**IMPORTANT - Auto-Populate Document Information Fields**:

Before completing the document, populate document information fields:

### Auto-populated fields

- `[PROJECT_ID]` → Extract from project path (e.g., "001")
- `[VERSION]` → Start with "1.0" for new documents
- `[DATE]` / `[YYYY-MM-DD]` → Current date in YYYY-MM-DD format
- `[DOCUMENT_TYPE_NAME]` → Document purpose
- `ARC-[PROJECT_ID]-STKE-v[VERSION]` → Generated document ID
- `[STATUS]` → "DRAFT" for new documents
- `[CLASSIFICATION]` → Default to "OFFICIAL" (UK Gov) or "PUBLIC"

### User-provided fields

- `[PROJECT_NAME]` → Full project name
- `[OWNER_NAME_AND_ROLE]` → Document owner

### Revision History

```markdown
| 1.0 | {DATE} | ArcKit AI | Initial creation from `$arckit-stakeholders` command |
```

### Generation Metadata Footer

```markdown
**Generated by**: ArcKit `$arckit-stakeholders` command
**Generated on**: {DATE}
**ArcKit Version**: {ARCKIT_VERSION}
**Project**: {PROJECT_NAME} (Project {PROJECT_ID})
**AI Model**: [Actual model name]
```

8. **Summarize what you created**:
   - How many stakeholders analyzed
   - How many drivers identified
   - How many goals defined
   - How many outcomes mapped
   - Key conflicts or risks
   - Critical success factors
   - Suggested next steps: "Now run `$arckit-requirements` to create requirements that align with and address these stakeholder goals and drivers"

## Example Usage

**Example 1**: New project

```text
$arckit-stakeholders Analyze stakeholders for a cloud migration project where the CFO wants cost savings, the CTO wants innovation, Operations is worried about downtime, and Security needs enhanced controls
```

You should:

- Create project "cloud-migration" (gets number 001)
- Identify stakeholders: CFO, CTO, Operations Director, CISO, App Owners, End Users
- Document drivers:
  - CFO: Reduce datacenter costs by £2M annually (FINANCIAL)
  - CTO: Modernize tech stack to attract talent (STRATEGIC)
  - Operations: Minimize downtime risk during migration (RISK)
  - CISO: Improve security posture and compliance (COMPLIANCE)
- Map to goals:
  - G-1: Reduce infrastructure costs 40% by end of Year 1
  - G-2: Migrate 80% of workloads to cloud in 18 months
  - G-3: Zero unplanned downtime during migration
  - G-4: Achieve ISO 27001 certification
- Map to outcomes:
  - O-1: £2M annual cost savings (CFO satisfied)
  - O-2: 50% faster time-to-market for new features (CTO satisfied)
  - O-3: 99.95% uptime maintained (Operations satisfied)
  - O-4: Zero security incidents during migration (CISO satisfied)
- Identify conflict: CFO wants speed (cost savings start sooner) vs Operations wants slow careful migration (minimize risk)
- Resolution strategy: Phased approach - start with low-risk apps for quick wins, save critical apps for later when team has experience
- Write to `projects/001-cloud-migration/ARC-001-STKE-v1.0.md`

**Example 2**: UK Government AI project

```text
$arckit-stakeholders Analyze stakeholders for a DWP benefits chatbot where the Minister wants quick delivery, Civil Service wants due diligence, Citizens need accuracy, and ICO requires data protection
```

You should identify UK Government specific drivers:

- Minister: Deliver manifesto commitment, respond to parliamentary questions (POLITICAL)
- Permanent Secretary: Ensure proper governance, avoid NAO criticism (RISK/ACCOUNTABILITY)
- Service Delivery: Reduce call center volume, improve citizen experience (OPERATIONAL)
- Digital/Technology: Modern architecture, attract digital talent (STRATEGIC)
- Citizens: Fast accurate answers, accessible service (USER)
- ICO: Data protection compliance, transparency (REGULATORY)
- Treasury: Value for money, spending controls (FINANCIAL)

Include UK-specific outcomes like:

- Ministerial dashboard metrics for parliamentary questions
- NAO audit readiness
- GDS service assessment pass rate
- Technology Code of Practice compliance
- User satisfaction on GOV.UK

## Important Notes

- **Drivers are the WHY**: Don't just list what stakeholders want - dig into WHY they want it (career, pressure from boss, regulatory deadline, competitive threat)
- **Goals are the WHAT**: Specific, measurable targets that address the drivers
- **Outcomes are the PROOF**: Business metrics that prove goals were achieved and drivers satisfied
- **Traceability matters**: Every outcome should trace back through goals to specific stakeholder drivers
- **Conflicts are normal**: Don't hide them - document honestly and propose resolutions
- **Be realistic**: Use actual timeframes, real budget numbers, achievable metrics
- **Stakeholders are people**: They have careers, fears, ambitions - not just "business needs"
- **Update regularly**: This is a living document - stakeholders' drivers evolve as context changes

- **Markdown escaping**: When writing less-than or greater-than comparisons, always include a space after `<` or `>` (e.g., `< 3 seconds`, `> 99.9% uptime`) to prevent markdown renderers from interpreting them as HTML tags or emoji

## Success Criteria

A good stakeholder drivers analysis will:

- ✅ Identify all stakeholders with power or interest (don't miss hidden influencers)
- ✅ Dig into underlying motivations (not surface-level wants)
- ✅ Show clear Driver → Goal → Outcome traceability chains
- ✅ Quantify everything possible (metrics, timelines, costs)
- ✅ Acknowledge conflicts honestly and propose pragmatic resolutions
- ✅ Identify synergies that create stakeholder alignment
- ✅ Provide actionable communication and engagement strategies
- ✅ Include governance and decision rights
- ✅ Set up measurable success criteria that stakeholders care about

This document becomes the foundation for:

- Requirements prioritization (align to high-impact drivers)
- Design decisions (optimize for stakeholder outcomes)
- Communication plans (message to each stakeholder's drivers)
- Change management (address resistance rooted in threatened drivers)
- Success metrics (measure what stakeholders actually care about)
- Governance (give decision rights to stakeholders with most at stake)

## Suggested Next Steps

After completing this command, consider running:

- `$arckit-requirements` -- Create requirements aligned to stakeholder goals
- `$arckit-risk` -- Create risk register with stakeholder risk owners
- `$arckit-sobc` -- Build business case from stakeholder drivers
More from tractorjuice/arc-kit