Usually general and even specific information already exists about disability and PRS stakeholders. However, an efficient stakeholder analysis will provide interesting new aspects even for experienced experts in the field when carried out with a variety of different stakeholders. A stakeholder analysis is a systematic examination of the existing organisations and institutions working in the concerned field. It provides information about the organisations' structures, activities, capacities, etc.

For example, the analysis of national PRS stakeholders outlines the current stage reached in the national PRS process and supplies details on the stakeholders involved and their inter-relationships. This usually includes the responsible government unit as well as the leading civil society stakeholders. On the basis of this information, DPOs can more easily identify possible entry points, as well as possible allies for networking at steps 2 and 3 later on.

Disability stakeholders can be analysed on two levels: the external and the internal.

The external analysis is always conducted by an expert who is not actively involved with the concerned stakeholders. The analysis seeks to evaluate the whole system of stakeholders in the field of disability and/or PRS. The level of participation and active involvement of each stakeholder in this evaluation may vary considerably. The analysis also supplies information about possible allies and partners, and explains the relationships between these stakeholders. Going into more depth, it facilitates the choice of partner organisations and provides valuable elements for any DPO seeking to find an appropriate position within the system.

The internal analysis usually entails an organisational self-assessment. This enables the DPO to evaluate its own capacities and potentials more effectively. Such a self-assessment is designed to strengthen the organisation in question in terms of analysing its internal strengths and weaknesses, and identifying opportunities and constraints linked to the environment. The results help to establish a realistic picture of existing capacities, and also help the organisation to learn and to adapt more easily to a changing environment. At the same time, this assessment facilitates the planning and implementation of any project or activity. An organisational self-assessment also shows the existing potential of any DPO to participate in or contribute to the development of a national disability movement.