Resources required will depend mainly on the nature of the issues/problems that the project sets out to address and the diversity of actors/perspectives and. Normally, issues/problems in a local system are complicated or complex.
The following table categorizes these scenarios according to the combination of nature of issues/problems (complicated or complex) and the diversity of actors/perspectives (low or high).
In all scenarios the objective is to analyse the system with the participation of strategic stakeholders and agree on strategies, action plans and working groups. Implementation is not part of the scope of the table.
Tips to accelerate the process:
OTHER GUIDELINES
Short time available for the analysis – typically 1-2 days
Select the most engaging presenters in your team to share the information. You must energise the participants and help them break the ice in a very short time. Remember that, despite the short time available, you still want them to interact between them, not just with you and your findings.
If you have two days, you can use approx. half day to do their own analysis (see additional resources below). Make sure they present their findings, insights and proposals to the whole group.
Once the participatory process has ended, the team must take on the responsibility of synthesizing findings and next steps, and reporting back to the group.
Invest heavily in follow-up calls and meetings with individual participants or small groups.
Longer time available for the analysis – typically 3-5 days
Select the best facilitators in your team to engage the participants. Invite reputable experts to present about issues that the team identified as critical (e.g. issues where views are polarized or that are dominated by wrong assumptions).
Splitting the group into smaller groups works here as well. Get the participants to identify challenges and opportunities. Then, rearrange them according to their interest in the issues identified. The objective here is to encourage these working groups to propose concrete strategies and activities to the broader group.
Give the group time to validate and prioritize the activities identified.
The main role of the team is to nurture the groups and serve as a technical secretary; for example, helping them meet regularly, access information and expertise, keep track of their decisions and informing the other participants about what the working group is doing.