Situation Analysis

is a process through which the general characteristics and general problem of the community are identified.

Information necessary to understand the situation of the community includes:

Population characteristics
Cultural tradition, transitions and rites of passage

 Ongoing projects like those of sub country, district, central government, non government organization and community based organization Community organization, their functions and activities

Information for situation analysis and problem definition should be collected with the involvement of the community members using several techniques. This is to ensure valid reliable and comprehensive information about the community and its problems.

Some of the following techniques could be used;

Document review Survey Interviews Observations Listening to people brainstorming

 Informal conversations Making an inventory of community, social resources, services and opportunities Transect walks, maps and problem tree.

SITUATION ANALYSIS FRAMEWORK

Situation analysis framework (SAF) is an analytical and planning method commonly used in communication program planning and implementation,

Major components of SAF

Stakeholders
These are the people the project is trying to involve and assist through its activities.

Nutritional Project
Stakeholders

Malnourished children

Development problem
Also sometimes labelled the grandproblem, this defines a major undesired and negative situation affecting a large number of people .

Nutritional Project
Development problem Poor livelihood and poor household food security

Project goal
This is a statement of the overall aim of the project.

Nutritional Project
Project Goal
Assist in the poverty alleviation effort by increasing food security

 Main problems
These are major specific problems or the undesired situation the project is specifically addressing. Main problems are derived from the development problem

Nutritional Project
Main Problems
High rate of malnutrition in children under five years of age

Project objectives
Also known as immediate objectives;

Nutritional Project
Project objectives 1. To improve food processing, preservation and appropriate food storages in the community. 2. To reduce malnutrition among the children under five years. 3. To promote the utilisation of locally available food.

The problem Tree

Focal problems
Often referred to as root-problems

Nutritional Project
FOCAL PROBLEMS 1. Under-utilisation of the feeding schemes.

2. Food shortage.
3. Poor feeding practices.

4.Inadequate knowledge on food processing and preserving. 5. Poor food storage facilities. 6. Frequent incapability by the mothers of identifying malnutrition at its early stage.

Communication objectives
These indicate what the communication intervention aims to accomplish, specifically in relation to the focal problem and as a contribution to the achievement of the project goal.

Nutritional Project
COMMUNICATION OBJECTIVES 1. Raise the awareness of proper feeding practises in the district to account for 80 percent of all women between the age of 16 and 40 years old by the next year.

2. Increase the knowledge of proper feeding practises to cover at least 60 per cent of all the mothers of under fives by the next two years. 3. Raise the percentage of mothers adopting correct feeding practices by 20 per cent over the next two years.

Communication Mode Design

This includes a series of steps through which the Interaction groups, communication approaches, design specifications, media and activities are selected and refined.

Outputs
These are the measurable results of one or more activities.
2 Categories: Quantitative Qualitative

Nutritional Project
QUANTITATIVE OUTPUTS 1. 200 posters.

2. 10 flipcharts on the importance of proper feeding practices and child health. 3. One training workshop for the 8 health workers of the district and their two supervisors.

QUALITATIVE OUTPUTS
1. Posters and group meetings are passing the right message. 2. Flipcharts truly encourage an open discussion among health workers and the women of the district. 3. Health workers and their supervisors effectively trained on how to use the flipcharts and how to dialogue with the women in the district.

Activities
These are the tasks/actions to be performed in order to produce the output needed to achieve the projects immediate objectives.

Nutritional Project
ACTIVITIES 1. Design draft flipchart panels. 2. Pre-test flipcharts. 3. Produce flipcharts. 4. Train health workers on how to use flipcharts

Inputs
These are the human and material resources (such as money, equipment, materials, personnel and training facilities) necessary to carry out projects activities meant to produce the outputs thus assisting to achieve the objective.

Nutritional Project
INPUTS 1. Graphic artist fee. 2. Cost of materials for the flipcharts. 3. Transport costs for pre-testing. 4. Allowances for pre-testing. 5. Production costs. 6. Costs for organising a workshop (premises, transport, allowances, stationary, etc.).

Indicators
These can be compared to road signs that indicate to a driver whether he/she is on the right road and how far he/she is from the final destination.

Means of verification
These are the sources and nature of information required to measure the indicators.

External factors
These are variables that are outside the control of the project management, but may determine the success or failure of the project.

Thank you for listening!!!!