Power
Analysis
• It is a tool / map
• Helps us to understand how to measure power
• Creates a picture of the power (political and other)
• Picture of how power is exercised
• Helps us develop & refine strategies
8 Steps to Performing a Power Analysis
Step 1: Define the struggle or issue to be analyzed.
Step 2: Define our agenda and the opposition’s agenda.
Step 3: Plot the major battles & campaigns.
Step 4: Plot the decision makers/power centers.
Step 5: Plot organized and active opposition groups.
Step 6: Plot your organization, allies and supporters.
Step 7: Plot unorganized constituencies.
Step 8: Analyze picture and refine campaign strategy
The Symbols
Step One
Define the
conditions,
struggle or
issue
impacting your
constituency.
Symbol Used
Step Two
Define Our
Agenda and
the
Opposition’s
Agenda
Symbol Used
Step Three
Plot the major
battles & campaigns
Symbol Used
Step Four
Plotting Major decision-makers on the Grid
Research Tips
Where do you find this information?
• Remember reading for power!
• Watching legislative television
• Michigan Manual
• Legislative Visits
• Social Media
• Media Research
• Michigan Campaign Finance
• Others?
Symbol Used
Step Five
Plot Opponents
Symbol Used
Step Six
Plot Allies and Supporters
Symbol Used
Step Seven
Plot unorganized constituencies
Symbol Used
Step Eight
Analysis and Application
Once the components of the power analysis are placed on the grid you are able to see how much power people and groups have in
relation to each other and the issue at hand.
You are then able to make any changes in where power was placed if you have disagreements.
You are also able to determine if an opponent can be moved and if so when and how.
You are able to analyze relationships, build coalitions based on power or the ability to build more power.
You also recognize unorganized constituencies and can figure out how to organize them.
Etc.
Analysis and Application
There are usually a few insights that arise from the analysis around how must power is really in play.
A Power Analysis is not a campaign plan – it’s a lay out of current power players and informs campaign planning similar to a brainstorming
session but with added value.
A Power Analysis….
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It provides insight.
You will begin to see what observations people have about power and the power map.
You can identify the strengths and weakness of the current position of allies and opposition.
The Power Analysis helps tell where the most energy should be placed
It helps identify opportunities for organizing (recruitment, leadership development etc)
Helps determine which opponents you should try to reduce in power and tactics needed.
Helps determine which decision makes should be focused on either reducing or increasing power with.
Helps identify essential partners and allies.
Helps determine which constituencies to focus on and organize.