AN INTERNAL DUP review carried out by former leader Peter Robinson will assess whether the party's structures are fit for purpose in the aftermath of months of upheaval.
The former first minister is expected to focus primarily on the role of branches, staff appointments and internal communications.
The manner in which the party elects its leader, with an electorate of only MPs and MLAs, will also come under scrutiny.
The former East Belfast MP, who led the party for seven years before standing down in late 2015, was a founding member of the DUP alongside the late Rev Ian Paisley.
He has been asked by his most recent successor Sir Jeffrey Donaldson to undertake a review of the rules and structures which he largely devised.
The former party leader has already begun the process of consulting with representatives as part of the wide-ranging exercise.
Weeks of turmoil triggered by a heave against Arlene Foster saw the party bitterly divided, with a number of veteran members quitting after Edwin Poots was elected leader.
One of the agriculture minister's key campaign pledges was to make the DUP "more democratic" and to end a party culture of policy-making “on the hoof”.
Sir Jeffrey, Mr Poots' successor after the Lagan Valley MLA spent just three weeks in the leader's job, also vowed to shake-up DUP party rules and ensure more inclusive policy making.
According to Belfast Live, Mr Robinson is expected to chair a review panel examining possible reforms.
His review is expected to conclude in the autumn when it will be presented to party officers.
There has been no official response from DUP headquarters, with a party spokesman saying it "does not comment on internal matters".
However, sources have indicated that the key areas of the former leader's review are likely to be the role of local branches, staff appointments and enhancing internal party communications.
The method for electing the leader, which before the contest between Mr Poots and Sir Jeffrey was untested, is also expected to be reviewed.
DUP South Down MLA Jim Wells welcomed the internal review, saying there was "nobody more capable" of conducting the exercise than Mr Robinson.
"He clearly knows every aspect of the party inside and out," he said.
"He is now slightly detached - he is not directly involved. Sometimes we can't see the wood from the trees, so maybe he can see things others can't."
Mr Wells said the review was "absolutely essential" following the party's leadership turmoil.
