Power mapping is a visual tool used by social advocates to identify the best individuals to target to promote social change. The role of relationships and networks is very important when advocates seek change in a social justice issue. The power mapping process entails the use of a visual tool to conceptualize the sphere of a person or group's influence. The power map tool helps to visualize whom you need to influence, who can influence your target and what can be done to influence the identified person with power. Power Mapping is often politically focused and is frequently used to persuade decision makers to alter how they may vote on an issue. It can also be used to convince an organization to take a stand, persuade a foundation to give your organization a grant, or compel a newspaper to write a favorable editorial.

Identify and familiarize oneself with target social problem and major players or decision makers involved.

Power mapping is a visual tool that should be drawn out. In the center is the person or institution that can make the decision or enact desired changes to address the identified social problem.

Next, it is important to think about associations, people or institutions that have relationships with the target individual and can potentially influence them. These could include work, political, family, religious and neighborhood ties and they should be written in a ring around the problem. Creativity is important when identifying potential associations (barber/hairdresser etc.). Also, strategy is an important part of the process. Be sure to look at all major donors and constituency groups the person has interacted with. Finally, be thorough in the way you think about relationships. Spend time looking at each identified associate and think about the people and institutions they are connected to.

Begin to review the network that you have created and determine any connections between the target, as well as the different people and institutions. Remember to take indirect connections into account as well for example, a decision maker may not be directly involved with an organization, but may have family members that are.

Circle the people with the most power relational lines drawn to them and identify people with few critical relational power lines that has a lot of influence. If there is someone without a clear relationship then develop a plan to find out more about the person.

Create action steps for moving forward by determining the best way to access the individuals through the relationships determined.

This is one of many methods of power mapping. The Change Agency, Beautiful Trouble, Oxfam, and others have developed others.