Situation Assessment
Situation assessment of an area or the prospective target population primarily involves collection of relevant data from various sources – both secondary and primary. Secondary data can be collected from local authorities and government offices. These are generally the demographic data and data related to most obvious, officially recognized and generally known issues. Secondary data can be collected from sources like other NGOs and development agencies who are also working in that same area. These may give us valuable information on what other issues exist and what are already being attended to. Some amount of secondary data can also be availed from research works of individuals, groups and organizations who have studied the place or the people there.
Primary data collection involves more time, effort and resources. Surveys, interviews and group discussions can be designed in such manner that they bring in the information that is required.
Once all the necessary data are collected, the major issues can be identified. Issues that are identified can be divided into categories according to the sector and sub-sector to which they belong. Sectors could be like Health, Education, Economic Development, etc. Sub-sectors could be like Diarrhea, Malaria, Nutrition, etc that all fall under the Health Sector.
Baseline measurements could be done as part of the assessment itself. However, baseline measurements are best done once the design is drafted at least. At that stage, you will know what indicators will be part of the design and can therefore measure only those to ascertain the baseline.
Major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats/challenges (SWOT/SWOC) are also to be reckoned at this stage.
Primary data collection involves more time, effort and resources. Surveys, interviews and group discussions can be designed in such manner that they bring in the information that is required.
Once all the necessary data are collected, the major issues can be identified. Issues that are identified can be divided into categories according to the sector and sub-sector to which they belong. Sectors could be like Health, Education, Economic Development, etc. Sub-sectors could be like Diarrhea, Malaria, Nutrition, etc that all fall under the Health Sector.
Baseline measurements could be done as part of the assessment itself. However, baseline measurements are best done once the design is drafted at least. At that stage, you will know what indicators will be part of the design and can therefore measure only those to ascertain the baseline.
Major strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats/challenges (SWOT/SWOC) are also to be reckoned at this stage.