Mapping Stakeholder Influence in NHS Specialised Commissioning

Visualising Influence to Drive Smarter Stakeholder Engagement

We worked with a UK-based healthcare brand to address a common problem: limited visibility of how NHS stakeholders actually influence specialised commissioning decisions. By building an interactive, organisation-wide stakeholder mapping solution, we uncovered key influencers, visualised decision-making networks, and embedded a standardised process for continuous learning. This enabled our client to sharpen their engagement strategies, protect institutional knowledge, and have greater impact in conversations that matter.

The stakeholder map gave us a level of clarity we hadn’t had before. It helped our teams prioritise the right conversations and stop wasting time with the wrong ones — National Access Lead, UK Healthcare Company

Client Challenge

The client had limited understanding of who was truly influential in the specialised commissioning process within NHS England. Their field teams were collecting information independently, resulting in:

• Inconsistent and incomplete data
  
• No centralised system for knowledge sharing
  
• Risk of stakeholder knowledge being lost when staff left the organisation
  

They needed a robust and scalable approach to stakeholder mapping to improve engagement, reduce duplication, and unlock institutional memory.

Our Approach

1. Mapped the NHS Landscape
We built a clear, high-level view of NHS England’s specialised commissioning structure using internal experts and desk research—establishing the foundation for mapping influence.

2. Designed a Data Framework
We developed a standardised system to gather and structure stakeholder data—covering roles, relationships, influence patterns, and strategic importance.

3. Validated with Field Insight
We complemented desk research with insights from regional teams—capturing real-world knowledge and validating stakeholder behaviours on the ground.

4. Built Visual Stakeholder Maps
We visualised relationships and influence using advanced stakeholder mapping tools, creating a dynamic and interactive map that made complex networks intuitive and navigable.

5. Embedded into the Organisation
To ensure sustained impact, we created training materials, ran group workshops and 1:1 sessions, and embedded the mapping framework into day-to-day operations.

Impact

• Created a living, interactive map of stakeholder influence in NHS specialised commissioning
  
• Improved engagement with hard-to-reach but high-impact individuals
  
• Reduced risk of knowledge loss due to staff turnover
  
• Standardised how stakeholder insight is collected, validated, and used across the organisation
  
• Empowered the team to act strategically—not just reactively—in stakeholder engagement
  

Why It Worked

• Combined desk research with in-field insight for accuracy
  
• Created not just a tool, but a repeatable internal capability
  
• Embedded visual outputs that make complex systems easy to grasp
• Aligned stakeholder strategy across sales, access, and medical functions

What This Means for You

If your team lacks clarity on who actually influences decisions, we can help you:

• Map and visualise decision-making networks
  
• Standardise stakeholder knowledge across teams
  
• Protect your stakeholder intelligence from loss
  
• Improve engagement with the people who truly matter

Want to visualise your stakeholder ecosystem and engage with more impact?

Let’s talk about building a stakeholder mapping solution that works.