HOW TO CREATE A POWER ANALYS
Power Analysis Guide
Requirements:
A GUIDE TO POWER ANALYSIS INCOMMUNITY ORGANISINGPowered by
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Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising POWER ANALYSISWhat is a Power Analysis? In the context of community organising, a PowerAnalysis is a tool that helps us begin to understandwhere power currently sits within a community. Byinvestigating the individuals and organisations whohave power, we can get a sense of the currentpower balance and begin to devise strategies forhow to shift it. We can also learn the strengths andweaknesses of both allies and opponents, as well asreflecting on our own base of power and how readywe are to engage with others.2Finally, on a practical note, knowing who thepowerful people in the community are is a goodidea before we start engaging with people andpotentially bump into them!I propose that there isanother kind of powerbased not on resources,things, or attributes, butrooted in the social andcooperative relations inwhich people areenmeshed by virtue ofgroup life.FRANCES FOX PIVEN
HOW TO CREATE A POWER ANALYSISA Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising 3Step 1 – Identify your communityIdentify the area, neighbourhood or community you are going analyse. What are theboundaries of the community and therefore who is included in it? Bear in mind that people inthe community will have their own sense of where it is – for example, not many people willdefine their neighbourhood by where the Ward boundaries are. You may have externalpower holders with areas of influence that overlap your community so bear that in mind too.12345Step 2 – Create a list of organisations and individuals who hold powerThe best place to start is just to make a long list or mind map of everyone you can think ofwho has power in and over the community. Who are the institutions, organisations andpeople who come to mind? Don’t worry about detail at this stage – that will come later. If youdon’t know an individual’s name then just put their position for now. For example, if you donot know who the MP is at the moment then make sure to put them down to analyse further. Step 3 – Categorise your listCreate a way of grouping the individuals and organisations in your list to help you refer backto them more easily. This will also help you see which areas are lacking and think aboutconnections both between and within groups. For example, for a community of place youmight use categories such as Politicians, Civil Servants, Businesses, Voluntary Sector, Media,Residents etc.Step 4 – Fill in the gapsNow is a good time to reflect on who is missing from your top-level power analysis. Who elsehas power that you haven’t thought of already? As you listen to more people in thecommunity, you will be able to revisit your analysis and add in new power holders. For now,you could present you list to those you work with to get their thoughts on who else shouldbe added in. Where possible, try and consider those with hidden power who are influencingthings behind the scenes.Step 5 – Put names to positionsGet into the detail and research who the key individuals are in the various positions of poweryou have identified. For example, instead of just putting ‘the council’, find out who the chiefexecutive of the council is and who the heads of relevant departments are too. This is thetime to get specific and personalise some of the organisations and institutions you havelisted. Every organisation and institution will be made up of people with differentbackgrounds, interests and levels of power.
A Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising 4Step 6 – Research key individualsFind out everything you can about some of the key individuals you have identified. Who arethey? How long have they been in their current role? What were they doing before? Wherewere they educated and to what level? Who do they know both personally andprofessionally? If an elected official, how many votes did they win and what was the turnoutat the last election? What portfolios do they / have they held? What are their interests andwhat causes do they support? An internet search is a great place to start, but also look at localmedia coverage, social media, organisational websites, press announcements, etc678Step 7 – Investigate organisationsAs well as doing detailed research on individuals, start to gather information on organisationsas well. The crucial question to reflect on is what do they care about? Look at their websites,annual reports, social media accounts, press releases, etc. What strengths do they have interms of people, resources, funding and reputation? What weaknesses do they have – whereare they vulnerable? What key metrics do they report against and who are they accountableto? Remember, each organisation will have its own internal power structures too.Step 8 – Identify potential alliesLinking to your wider strategy, ask yourself which people and organisations are naturallyinclined to support your campaign and / or goals. Consider gaps in your own power and whocan help fill them in a mutually beneficial way. Think about approaching potential allies directlyas part of a listening conversation. Try to put yourself in their shoes – how does allying withyou help them achieve what they need to and meet the targets they are accountable for?Speak in their language as much as possible and be clear what you are asking them to do.Step 9 – Analyse potential opponentsAs part of an effective community organising strategy, you should also have a clearunderstanding of who your potential opponents are. This is true whether you are adopting aconflict model to challenge them or a consensus-building model to win them over. Thinkabout who on your list has goals that conflict with your own, and who benefits from thestatus quo that you want to change. Before you take action against your opponents, youneed to have a very clear understanding of the sources and extent of their power, whatresources they can draw upon and who else they can organise against you. Compare theirrelative strength against your own and determine how many more people you need to tiltthe scales in your favour. Only fight the battles you have already won. Until you are ready,stay below their radar and work to build a power base that undermines their own.Step 10 – Update and protect your Power AnalysisYou will constantly receive new information about the movements of power in thecommunity through listening conversations, media reports, election results etc. Keepadding to and amending your Power Analysis to make sure it is current and only share it withthose you can trust to maintain confidentiality. Remember that a comprehensive PowerAnalysis is itself a crucial source of the community’s power!910
It is entirely up to you how to presentyour Power Analysis. Use a format thatworks for you and the people you workwith. You might want to developsomething visual like a mind map ordiagram, or create a written documentthat analyses each power holder in turn.On the following pages, you will findsome templates you could choose touse. These will also help you considerpower Presenting a Power Analysis?POWER ANALYSIS TEMPLATES5Change comes from power, and power comes from organizationSAUL ALINSKYholders you may have overlooked.Whatever you do, make sure the formatyou choose is accessible to thecommunity and understandable bysomeone other than yourself!
Elected Representatives 6NameRoleConstituencyPolitical PartyConsider MPs, Members of Devolved Governments (e.g. MSPs), Councillors, Regional Mayors, Police and Crime Commissioners, etc.Majority at thelast election Turout at thelast election Date of thenext election Detailed AnalysisNameBackgroundKey interests Connected toA Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising
Public SectorNameJob title OrganisationGoals and responsibilities Consider Council Leaders & Officers, Civil Servants, Police Officers, Health Service Leaders, etc.Accountable toDetailed AnalysisNameBackgroundKey interests Connected to7A Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising
Voluntary Sector LeadersConsider leaders and employees of charities, campaign groups, mutual aid groups, community centres, faith groups etc. Detailed AnalysisNameBackgroundKey interests Connected toNameJob titleOrganisation nameType of organisation Size of organisationAims / objectivesFunding sources 8A Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising
Economic LeadersConsider business owners, social enterprise founders, members of Chambers of Commerce, networking group leaders, etc.Detailed AnalysisNameBackgroundKey interests Connected toNameJob titleBusiness nameType of businessNumber ofemployeesAnnual turnoverAnnual profit9A Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising
Media and Social Media Leaders10Consider leaders and employees of local newspapers, radio, TV, Twitter campaigns, Facebook groups, etc. Detailed AnalysisNameBackgroundKey interests Connected toNamePositionOrganisation / group Reach (people)Aims / objectivesFunding sources A Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising
Residents / OthersConsider those without formal positions who are powerful e.g. family leaders, well-connected individuals, etc. NameBackgroundKey interests Connected to11A Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising
OUR TRAINING COURSESClick below or scan the QR code tofind out when and where upcomingtraining courses are taking placewww.corganisers.org.uk/trainingNationally Recognised QualificationsINTRODUCTION TO COMMUNITY ORGANISINGQuality Assured Short CoursesLISTENING SKILLSFOR COMMUNITYORGANISING BUILDING POWERTHROUGHCOMMUNITYORGANISING ACTION FORCHANGE THROUGHCOMMUNITYORGANISINGLEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3AWARD IN COMMUNITYORGANISINGLEVEL 2 OR LEVEL 3CERTIFICATE INCOMMUNITYORGANISINGA Guide to Power Analysis in Community Organising
The Community Practitioners’ Network (CPN) brings together communitypractitioners from across the UK. It provides an informal space where people cometogether, reflect and listen to each other’s experiences. It also provides expert inputand guidance through guest lectures and webinars as well as informal networkingopportunities and wider issue based discussion groups.Click below or scan the QR codeto find out more about the CPNwww.corganisers.org.uk/cpnMENTORING AND SUPPORTCommunity Practitioners NetworkNetworking Sessions (Monthly)KEY INFORMATION What do I get and what’s the cost?Peer Learning Circles (fortnightly)Expert Webinars (Monthly)Guest Lectures (Every 2 months)Issue Based Discussion Groups£12 per month incl VAT
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