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Stakeholder Email Variants: Mermaid Diagram Analysis

Overview​

Three variants of the stakeholder email, each using different Mermaid diagram types to visualize key messages. All variants follow the feedback structure:

  • TL;DR at the top
  • Why this matters (problem/solution/benefit)
  • 6 key findings with colored squares
  • What's next (roadmap)
  • Less technical language
  • Visual engagement

Variant 1: Impact-Focused with Quadrant Chart​

File: STAKEHOLDER_EMAIL_VARIANT_1.md

Mermaid Diagrams Used:​

  1. Quadrant Chart - Shows impact vs implementation complexity
  2. Timeline - Roadmap visualization

Best For:​

  • Strategic stakeholders who need to understand priority and impact
  • Decision-makers evaluating resource allocation
  • Business leaders who think in terms of ROI and strategic value

Why This Works:​

  • Quadrant chart immediately shows what delivers high impact with low complexity (quick wins)
  • Timeline provides clear forward-looking view
  • Visual prioritization helps stakeholders understand what to focus on

Strengths:​

✅ Clear visual prioritization
✅ Strategic thinking demonstrated
✅ Easy to understand impact distribution

Considerations:​

⚠️ Quadrant chart requires some interpretation
⚠️ Less process-focused than other variants

Variant 2: Journey-Focused with Process Flow​

File: STAKEHOLDER_EMAIL_VARIANT_2.md

Mermaid Diagrams Used:​

  1. Journey Diagram - Shows the data transformation journey from user perspective
  2. Flowchart - Simple process visualization

Best For:​

  • Business users who need to understand the process
  • Stakeholders who think in terms of workflows
  • Non-technical audiences who benefit from step-by-step visualization

Why This Works:​

  • Journey diagram shows the human/stakeholder experience
  • Flowchart provides simple "how it works" explanation
  • Both diagrams are intuitive and require no technical knowledge

Strengths:​

✅ Most accessible to non-technical audiences
✅ Clear process visualization
✅ Emphasizes user experience and outcomes

Considerations:​

⚠️ Less strategic/impact-focused
⚠️ Journey diagram is simpler than other visualizations

Variant 3: Impact Distribution with Roadmap​

File: STAKEHOLDER_EMAIL_VARIANT_3.md

Mermaid Diagrams Used:​

  1. Pie Chart - Shows value distribution across different areas
  2. Gantt Chart - Detailed timeline with milestones

Best For:​

  • Analytical stakeholders who like data visualization
  • Project managers who need detailed timelines
  • Finance/Operations teams who think in terms of value distribution

Why This Works:​

  • Pie chart immediately shows where value is coming from
  • Gantt chart provides detailed, actionable roadmap
  • Both are familiar chart types that require no explanation

Strengths:​

✅ Familiar chart types (pie, Gantt)
✅ Detailed, actionable roadmap
✅ Clear value distribution visualization

Considerations:​

⚠️ Gantt chart can be more detailed than needed for high-level email
⚠️ Pie chart is simpler than quadrant analysis

Recommendation Matrix​

Stakeholder TypeBest VariantWhy
C-Level ExecutivesVariant 1Strategic focus, impact prioritization
Business UsersVariant 2Process clarity, user journey focus
Project ManagersVariant 3Detailed roadmap, value distribution
Finance/OperationsVariant 3Cost/value visualization, detailed planning
Technical LeadersVariant 1 or 2Strategic thinking OR process clarity

Mermaid Diagram Types Used​

1. Quadrant Chart (Variant 1)​

  • Purpose: Strategic prioritization
  • Best Use: Showing impact vs effort/complexity
  • Engagement Level: High (requires interpretation, shows strategic thinking)

2. Timeline (Variant 1)​

  • Purpose: Forward-looking roadmap
  • Best Use: High-level milestones and phases
  • Engagement Level: Medium (simple, clear, familiar)

3. Journey Diagram (Variant 2)​

  • Purpose: User experience visualization
  • Best Use: Showing stakeholder journey through process
  • Engagement Level: High (tells a story, easy to understand)

4. Flowchart (Variant 2)​

  • Purpose: Process explanation
  • Best Use: Simple "how it works" visualization
  • Engagement Level: Medium (familiar, clear)

5. Pie Chart (Variant 3)​

  • Purpose: Value distribution
  • Best Use: Showing where value/impact comes from
  • Engagement Level: Medium (familiar chart type)

6. Gantt Chart (Variant 3)​

  • Purpose: Detailed timeline with tasks
  • Best Use: Project planning and milestone tracking
  • Engagement Level: Medium (detailed, actionable)

Creative Elements Used​

All variants include:

  • ✅ Colored squares before hex codes (following project standards)
  • ✅ Emoji icons for visual interest
  • ✅ Clear TL;DR section
  • ✅ Business-focused language (less technical)
  • ✅ "What's in it for you" messaging
  • ✅ Forward-looking roadmap

Which Variant to Choose?​

Choose Variant 1 if:

  • Your stakeholders are strategic decision-makers
  • You want to show prioritization and impact
  • You need to demonstrate strategic thinking

Choose Variant 2 if:

  • Your audience is non-technical
  • You want to emphasize user experience
  • Process clarity is more important than strategy

Choose Variant 3 if:

  • Your stakeholders are analytical/project-focused
  • You need detailed roadmap visibility
  • Value distribution is key to your message
© 2026 Stephen Adei•CC BY 4.0