Top 6 Excellent Stakeholder Mapping Tools
Do you love creating a stakeholder map to visualize and identify your stakeholders and projects? Worry no more! This article has the best stakeholder mapping tools you can try. These tools are thoroughly tested and proven. Also, we will provide a comparison table between these applications, so you can know their differences and choose what you prefer. Now, cherish your precious time by reading this article and learning about the most stunning stakeholder map creator.
- Part 1: 3 Best Free Online Tools for Stakeholder Mapping
- Part 2: Excellent Stakeholder Map Makers for Desktop
- Part 3: Stakeholder Map Maker’s Comparison
- Part 4: FAQs about Stakeholder Mapping Tool
As one main writer of MindOnMap's editorial team, I always provide real and verified information in my posts. Here are what I usually do before writing:
- After selecting the topic of stakeholder mapping tool, I always do a lot of research on Google and in forums to list the software that users care about the most.
- Then I use all the stakeholder mapping programs mentioned in this post and spend hours or even days testing them one by one. Sometimes I need to pay for some of them.
- Considering the key features and limitations of stakeholder map makers, I conclude what use cases these tools are best for.
- Also, I look through users' comments on these stakeholder map creators to make my review more objective.
Part 1: 3 Best Free Online Tools for Stakeholder Mapping
MindOnMap
One of the most online stakeholder mapping tools you can use is MindOnMap. If you want an attractive, creative, and unique stakeholder map, this tool is capable of helping you. You can put different shapes on your stakeholder map with various colors, font styles, sizes, and more. Moreover, your stakeholder map will be more attractive and explicit. Furthermore, you can make different maps, like empathy maps, semantic maps, knowledge maps, organizational charts, and more. In addition, MindOnMap is free software. You don’t need to purchase anything. You can also automatically save your map, so you don’t need to worry about your output. Moreover, it has many ready-to-use templates you can get and use. This way, everyone can easily make their stakeholder map, especially beginners.
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PROS
- Suitable for beginners.
- It has ready-to-use templates.
- Good for making various maps.
- Automatically save the work.
- No need to purchase the software.
- Smooth in the exporting process.
- Compatible with multiplatform.
CONS
- An Internet connection is needed to operate this online tool.
Miro
Another online stakeholder mapping tool you can use is Miro. This software makes creating different maps easy because it has simple methods with a straightforward interface. You can use numerous tools, like shapes, texts, sticky notes, connection lines, etc. Also, Miro enables you to collaborate with your teams for brainstorming, planning, meeting, workshops, and more. In addition, you can save your final stakeholder map in a different format. You can save it to PDF, images, spreadsheets, etc. However, there are times when utilizing Miro is a little confusing. Some tools are complicated, like wireframes, estimation tools, etc., and it is highly recommended to seek help from advanced users or professionals. Also, you can use the free version, but it has a limitation. It only offers three editable boards. So, to enjoy this online tool more, you must purchase a subscription.
PROS
- Offers ready-to-use templates.
- Good for planning, mapping, brainstorming, collaborating, and more.
CONS
- Utilizing it is complicated for beginners.
- It needs internet access to perform well.
- It has limited features when using the free version.
Visual Paradigm
Visual Paradigm is one of the best online map creators. This online tool can help you make more maps, like knowledge maps, empathy maps, stakeholder maps, etc. Also, various intelligent drawings and fine-tuned control features let you quickly produce excellent diagrams. You can also share your work by exporting your final work into images, like PNG, SVG, JPG, etc. However, like the other online map makers, using its free version is limited. You can only use basic templates, chart types, collaboration, and other features. To experience advanced features using this application, you must purchase the software.
PROS
- Provides useful and helpful templates.
- Capable of exporting the works into different formats.
CONS
- Unsuitable for new users.
- Complicated to utilize.
- The application is costly.
- Features are limited to the free version.
- To operate the application, an internet connection is needed.
Part 2: Excellent Stakeholder Map Maker for Desktop
Excel
Microsoft Excel is also good for making a stakeholder map. You can use different editing tools to make your map, like various shapes and font styles, inserting pictures, charts, tables, arrows, word art, symbols, and more. Also, you can put different colors in your maps to make them more understandable and unique. This way, you can identify your stakeholders and the organization’s project. However, Excel has many options and a menu, which makes it complicated for non-professional users. You must look for tutorials or ask for help from advanced users if you want to use this offline tool. It also doesn’t have free templates. Lastly, if you want to activate Microsoft Excel on your desktop, you must purchase the software. Sadly, this tool is expensive.
PROS
- Have many tools to use, like shapes, texts, styles, sizes, charts, and more.
- Save on various formats, such as PDF, XPS, XML data, etc.
CONS
- Purchasing it is costly.
- Utilizing it is complicated, which is unsuitable for beginners.
- The installation process has a complicated process.
Wondershare EdrawMind
Another downloadable tool for you is Wondershare EdrawMind. This tool is also considered a stakeholder map maker. This application has many features, like creating a project plan, brainstorming, concept map, knowledge map, flowcharts, and more. This way, you can say that it is convenient for every user. In addition, it also offers editing and formatting tools and has 33 free themes for creating your stakeholder map.
Moreover, you can access the Wondershare EdrawMind application on multiple devices, such as Linux, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Androids. However, this map maker is facing some issues, especially when using the free version. Sometimes, the exporting option is not showing up. Also, you must purchase the application to encounter more significant and useful features.
PROS
- Offers numerous beautiful and creative themes.
- It has unlimited customization.
- Perfect for beginners.
CONS
- When using the free version, the exporting option is not appearing on the screen.
- Get the paid version to enjoy great features.
- The installation process is a little complicated for new users.
Xmind
Xmind is also a downloadable tool you can use to create a stakeholder map. In addition, it can help you plan, organize information, brainstorm, and more. You can also use this on several devices, like Windows, iPad, Androids, Linux, Mac, etc. Moreover, Xmind has simple methods to create a stakeholder map, which is perfect for all users. If you want to make your map more comprehensible and detailed, you can insert stickers and illustrators. However, this software has some disadvantages you may encounter. The export option is limited. Also, smooth scrolling from the mouse is not supported when you have a large size, especially on Mac.
PROS
- It provides numerous ready-to-use templates.
- Reliable for organizing thoughts, brainstorming, planning, etc.
CONS
- The export option is limited.
- It doesn’t support smooth scrolling on Mac, especially when the file size gets large.
Part 3: Stakeholder Map Maker’s Comparison
| Tools | Difficulty | User | Platform | Pricing | Features |
| MindOnMap | Easy | Beginners | Google, Firefox, Microsoft Edge | Free | Offers ready-to-use templates. Good for project management. . Smooth in the exporting process. |
| Miro | Complicated | Advanced | Google, Microsoft Edge, Firefox | Starter: $8 Monthly Business: $16 Monthly | Great for Team Collaboration. It has pre-built templates. |
| Visual Paradigm | Complicated | Advanced | Google, Microsoft Edge, Firefox | Starter: $4 Monthly Advanced: $19 Monthly | Powerful document builder. Good for visual modeling. |
| Microsoft Excel | Complicated | Advanced | Windows, Mac | Office 365 Personal: $6.99 Monthly $69.99 Yearly Office 365 Premium: $12.50Monthly | Graphic organizer. File presenter. Document maker. |
| Wondershare EdrawMind | Easy | Beginners | Linux, iOS, Mac, Windows, and Androids | Personal: $6.50 Monthly | Good for project management. Provides abundant templates. |
| Xmind | Easy | Beginners | Windows, iPad, Androids, Linux, Mac, etc. | $79 One-time fee Pro version: $99 One-time fee | Reliable for Mind Mapping. Concept Mapping. |
Part 4: FAQs about Stakeholder Mapping Tool
How can stakeholder mapping tools improve your stakeholder management?
You can interact with stakeholders more successfully if you understand their issues, requirements, and motivations.
When would you use a stakeholder map?
Stakeholder maps can be used to examine and comprehend who is associated with a project or organization and how these parties are related. The majority of projects are affected by a variety of various stakeholders.
What are the benefits of using stakeholder maps in your design process?
You can find out who has the most influence. In building a stakeholder map, you will easily identify who has the biggest influence over a project, whether the CEO or the manager.
Also, you can quickly know what things you must prioritize first.
Conclusion
These are the six most excellent stakeholder mapping tools you can try. As you observed, you can use these tools online and offline. But sad to say, almost all of them have limited features when using the free version. In that case, if you want to enjoy the full features of the application without purchasing the software, then you can use MindOnMap.
