The Note, which should be used alongside the FCDO-TWP CoP guide to political economy analysis (PEA) and thinking and working politically, is the second in a series of technical notes on the use of PEA in practice (the first is on Understanding Options for Politically Informed Context Analysis).
Understanding stakeholder and political networks: A Practical Guidance Note
Laure-Hélène Piron and Wilfred Mwamba 2026
Aimed at practitioners such as development partners and diplomats, this Note sets out detailed guidance on how to undertake a dynamic stakeholder analysis and political network mapping, both of which can be used to support international cooperation and development partnerships. It explains how to identify key actors, understand their interests and influence, and map the relationships that shape how power operates in practice.
Stakeholder analysis considers the key actors relevant to an area of work, political network mapping goes further, analysing the relationships between actors. Both tools help practitioners move from a general understanding towards specific, evidence-based decisions. These approaches can contribute to the design and implementation of a strategy, policy dialogue or development programme, and to the management of risks.
The note outlines a structured but iterative seven-step process, from clarifying objectives to developing engagement strategies, supported by practical tools such as stakeholder matrices and network maps. Emphasising that analysis should remain dynamic and adaptive, it shows how these approaches can strengthen evidence-based decision-making, improve influencing strategies, and support more effective interventions in complex political environments.
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Understanding Options for Politically Informed Context Analysis
Understanding political economy analysis and thinking and working politically