Tools & Methods
rssProblem tree
Aim of the tool
To analyse problems, i.e. identifying the cause of the problems and their effects
When to use it?
Use the tool when designing a project, at the beginning of the planning process, and to identify the core issues and their root problems
Quantitative data analysis software packages
Aim of the tool
Quantitative data analysis software tools are used to make sense of data in a systematic way.
When to use it?
These tools are useful when your quantitative data have been collected and you want to start with analysing the data.
How difficult is it to use it?
Easy – moderate – for experienced users/facilitators
Task analysis checklist
Aim of the tool
To help identify the roles of stakeholders
When to use it?
It is used when you want to explore the different roles stakeholders could play in future interventions
Inferred mapping
Aim of the tool
To help identify stakeholders and help determine their influence and willingness to support the intervention
When to use it?
This tool is useful at the beginning of an intervention but can also be used for an evaluation
Social network analysis (SNA)
Aim of the tool
To structure relationships, collaboration, information flows. You can look at one point in time and compare it with another
When to use it?
This tool can be used at the beginning of an intervention process. It can also be used for evaluation purposes. Roles of stakeholders may change over time, and this means that you will have to update your stakeholder analysis.
Power-Interest grid for stakeholder participation
Aim of the tool
To be able to prioritize your stakeholders; it helps you know who the supporters and detractors of your intervention are
When to use it?
This tool can be used when you want to know how to strategically work with your stakeholders
Political analytical tool (PAT)
Aim of the tool
PAT helps you to deepen your understanding of a particular context in terms of the politics, the social and political structuring, and the historical context. It helps you to visualise political/power relationships in networks.
When to use it?
This software can be used on existing intervention processes where historical analysis is relevant. It is less suitable for participatory workshops, but it can help to validate the diagram made by participants.
Venn diagram
Aim of the tool
To illustrate the extent to which individuals, organisations, services and interventions interact or overlap with each other, their importance and relationships with each other
When to use it?
To be used when you want to understand the relationship between your intervention and other stakeholders as well as their relationships and importance relative to each other. You can use this during M&E to see changing relationships
Institutional analysis
Aim of the tool
To analyse the institutions that have a bearing on the core issue of your intervention
When to use it?
This tool is particularly useful at the start of the intervention and when the issue of strategies for change is raised
Scenario Analysis/Planning Tool
Aim of the tool
Make participants think about possible futures, as well as stimulate creative and forward thinking.
When to use it?
Situation analysis and planning
Filter by tool topic
Filter by m4sdi tool topics
- All
- Change management
- Communicating and reporting
- Communication
- Context orientation
- Critical reflection and sense-making
- Data analysis
- Data collection
- Facilitation
- Financial planning and management
- Human resource management
- Leadership competency
- Learning orientation
- M&E approaches and options
- Operational planning
- Organisational capacity assessment / development
- People orientation
- Procurement and contract management
- Situation analysis
- Stakeholder analysis
- Strategic foresight competency
- Strategic planning
- Strategic thinking
- Systems thinking, complexity
