The experiences of field intervention suggest that the term ‘Stakeholder Analysis’ applies to a
set of tools aimed at knowledge generation. Probing deeper, the knowledge about individuals,
agencies and organisations is obtained from conducting a stakeholder analysis. It helps the
development workers to gain clarity about the behaviour of the stakeholders, their
intentions, inter-relations and interests. As is well-known, it also aids in the assessment of influence
and resources which the stakeholder may bring to bear on a decision-making process or
implementation process. It identifies all primary and secondary stakeholders who have a vested
interest in the issues with which the policy or project is concerned. The goal of stakeholder analysis is
to develop a strategic view of the
human and institutional landscape, and the relationship between the different stakeholders and
the objectives under consideration. Stakeholder analysis is best seen as a continuing process,
which should engage different groups, as issues, activities, and agendas evolve. The full participation
of stakeholders in both the design and implementation of policies and projects is a vital to but not
guaranteeing to their success. Stakeholder participation: gives people some say over how policies
or projects may affect their lives is essential for sustainability generates a sense of ownership (if
initiated early in the development process) provides opportunities for learning for both the policy
or project team and for the stakeholders themselves builds capacity and leads to responsibility. It
is important that stakeholder participation not be exclusive, or controlled by any one group. Once an
initiative has found common ground, and has negotiated its goal with partners including local
stakeholders, a stakeholder agreement can be recorded in writing. This may seem overly formal, but
it has the advantage of providing clarity, and helping to avoid (or resolve) conflict in the future. Who
are the people who will benefit from any given development activity? And whose interests might be
harmed by it? Identifying the stakeholders , large and small, individual and organisational, for any
given activity is essential if all the people who could have a bearing on its success or failure are to
have their voices heard. All stakeholders need to have their opinions taken into account, even if
some are to be set aside at a later date. Stakeholder Analysis allows managers to identify the
interests of different groups and find ways of harnessing the support of those in favour or the
activity, while managing the risks posed by stakeholders who are against it. It can also play a
central role in identifying real development need — and that may mean devising a different
programme from the one you thought you were about to embark upon. Stakeholders are those
who are influenced by and exert an influence on those things that take place in the project – directly
or indirectly. They can be individuals or organisations and they can be both for and against a change.
Different stakeholders have different opportunities to exert an influence on a project. A survey
of the project‟s stakeholders and their relationship to the project is an important part of the project
planning process. Stakeholders can be divided up into four main groups: 1. Beneficiaries/Target
group, 2. Implementers, 3. Decision-makers/Policy Makers, and 4. Funding Agencies. Some
stakeholders may belong to several of the above-mentioned groups. During the project planning
process, information should be obtained from all the different stakeholder groups. All of them
have important information to give to the future project group. For the project group it is crucial to
structure all the reasons/causes of problems in order to find sustainable solutions. This can only be
done with the aid of the information gathered from local stakeholders. When making a stakeholder
analysis, think broadly of those who are influenced by or exert an influence on the activities that
take place in the sector. Do not forget to include the information from important stakeholders,
such as the target group, when planning a project. The different stakeholders combined knowledge
about the situation is a key to the identification of appropriate solutions. Local personnel should
make the stakeholder analysis.
