In sport event planning, what is the purpose of stakeholder analysis and how is it typically conducted?

• A. To determine project budgets and allocate resources, typically by cost-benefit analysis.
• B. To identify all parties affected by the event, assess their interests and influence, and plan engagement; typically conducted by mapping stakeholders on an interest/influence matrix and developing targeted communication plans.
• C. To draft event schedules based on stakeholder availability alone.
• D. To evaluate potential sponsors only.

Answer: (B)

Stakeholder analysis aims to understand who will be affected by the sport event, what they care about, and how much influence they have over the project, so you can plan engagement that reduces risk and builds support. It is typically done by first identifying all relevant parties—such as organizers, participants, sponsors, venues, local authorities, fans, media, volunteers, and community groups. Next you assess each stakeholder’s interests (what they want from the event) and their influence (how much power they have to affect outcomes). This information is usually organized on an interest/influence map, which helps you prioritize who to engage first and what level of communication they require. Finally you develop targeted engagement plans: what you’ll communicate, through which channels, how often, and what actions you’ll take to align expectations and address concerns. The process is iterative, updating as the event evolves and new stakeholders appear. Budgets and resource allocation are separate considerations, scheduling often depends on availability but is not the full purpose of stakeholder analysis, and evaluating sponsors is only one facet among many stakeholders.