Understand the situation

A situation analysis examines the current situation and the factors contributing to it. This might include identification and analysis of needs, resources, strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, threats, and/or power analysis.

A situation analysis can be done as part of planning an intervention before implementation, or during implementation to inform ongoing planning, or as part of planning or conducting an evaluation.

Methods

Methods for undertaking a situation analysis include:

  • Asset mapping

    Asset mapping is a process of identifying existing assets within a community, organisation or network. It complements the "deficit focus" of needs analysis.

  • Demographic mapping

    Demographic mapping is a way of using GIS (global information system) mapping technology to show data on population characteristics by region or geographic area.

  • Geographic information system (GIS) mapping

    Geographic information system (GIS) mapping will typically display one data variable or indicator, often using colour coding to indicate the density, frequency, or percentage in a given region, allowing quick comparison between regions.

  • Interactive mapping

    Interactive mapping involves using maps that allow zooming in and out, panning around, identifying specific features, querying underlying data such as by topic or a specific indicator (e.g., socioeconomic status), generating reports and other means of u

  • Needs analysis

    A needs analysis identifies the current needs of an individual, organisation, or community.

    Four different types of need were identified by a classic paper by Bradshaw in 1972:

  • Power analysis

    A power analysis identifies the main types of power in a system of interest.

  • Social mapping

    Social mapping, or 'wellbeing ranking', is used to identify households using pre-determined indicators based on socio-economic factors.

  • Stakeholder mapping and analysis

    Stakeholders are individuals or organizations that will be affected in some significant way by the outcome of the evaluation process or that are affected by the performance of the intervention, or both.

  • SWOT analysis

    The SWOT analysis is a strategic planning tool that encourages group or individual reflection on and assessment of the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats of a particular strategy and how to best implement it.

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