Conflict analysis: Topic guide

This guide provides a comprehensive overview of conflict analysis, offering practical guidance, tools, and frameworks for understanding conflict dynamics and applying conflict-sensitive methods in project design and M&E.

In this guide, Herbet (2017) offers a comprehensive guide to systematic conflict analysis, focusing on tools and approaches developed for policy and practice. The author reviews the use of conflict analysis to improve understanding of the dynamics of conflict, actors, and causes, and to inform conflict-sensitive approaches in fragile and conflict-affected settings. The guide addresses both the conceptual aspects of conflict and the challenges of applying structured analysis in practice, making it useful for M&E practitioners, policymakers, and peacebuilding professionals who aim to mitigate harm and enhance the effectiveness of interventions in volatile environments.

Key features

The resource offers an in-depth examination of several critical areas in conflict analysis:

• Definitions and challenges: Conflict is explored in terms of forms (open, surface, and latent) and the complexity of understanding peace and conflict through differing perspectives.
• Core analytical elements: The guide focuses on the conflict profile, actors, causes, and dynamics as essential components of conflict analysis. It provides practical tools and methods for assessing these elements, including actor mapping and conflict trees.
• Conflict analysis tools: Several conflict analysis toolkits are examined, highlighting their purpose, methodology, and application in different contexts, from development aid to peacebuilding. Practical tools like actor mapping, timelines, and conflict trees are detailed, alongside commonly used frameworks such as the USAID Conflict Assessment Framework and the Peace and Conflict Impact Assessment tool.
• Lessons and challenges: The guide reflects on common challenges, such as political biases in conflict analysis and the tension between standardised toolkits and the need for context-specific insights. It also addresses gaps in gender-sensitive conflict analysis and critiques technocratic approaches that may overlook local dynamics.
• Practical applications: It offers recommendations for integrating conflict analysis into policy and practice, with a focus on ongoing analysis, team composition, and ensuring local legitimacy in the evaluation process.

How would you use the resource?

M&E practitioners working in conflict-affected areas can use this guide to select and adapt appropriate conflict analysis tools. It is particularly useful for integrating conflict analysis into project design, evaluation, and strategic planning processes. The practical exercises and methodologies described in the guide are directly applicable for conflict-sensitive programming, allowing users to assess conflict causes, actors, and dynamics in diverse settings. The guide’s focus on continuous analysis makes it a valuable resource for ongoing monitoring and situation updates in fragile contexts.

Why are we recommending it?

The resource stands out for its practical approach to conflict analysis, offering tools and methodologies that can be directly applied in the field. It emphasises the need for ongoing conflict analysis to adapt interventions to evolving contexts, ensuring they remain relevant and sensitive to local dynamics. This is particularly useful for M&E practitioners in FCV settings, where the political, social, and economic environments can shift rapidly.