Module 1.

Situational Analysis

The Planning Process

Development is a cyclical process. It starts with plan formulation; i.e., identifying a problem
and a plan to solve this. The plan is then implemented and monitored. As a result of
monitoring and eva luation, the plan is reviewed and adjusted. Adjustments are
correspondingly made in the implementation. The iteration continues until the plan is
declared as successfully completed (or abandoned).

The first step in formulating a plan is to do a situationa l analysis, as shown in Figure 1 below.

Figure 1. Steps in plan formulation1

Situational è To identify and prioritize problem situations affecting the

analysis target population or specific segments of the population.

Formulation of è To specify the desired outcomes to be achieved by

goals, objectives addressing the priority problem identified in the situational
and targets analysis.

Formulation of
policies and è To provide a broad direction on how to achieve the stated
goals, objectives and targets.
strategies

Identification of è To translate the policies and strategies into specific

programs and implementable activities.
projects

Investment è To identify which programs and projects can be funded and

programming or implemented according to a definite schedule or time
budgeting frame.

Orbeta (1994) developed an integrated planning framework for the social sectors by merging
the framework on proximate determinants of social sector outcomes and that of the social
sector service production, delivery and financing system. The framework serves as a basis for
identifying the problem, providing possible solutions, and prioritizing the actions needed to

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Orbeta (1994)
solve the problem. A simplified adaptation of the framework is used in used in this
discussion.

Situational Analysis

Problem identification is a deductive process. This activity identifies the issues and problems
that need to be addressed. It seeks to answer several questions :

§ What is the problem?

§ Why is there a problem?
o What are the probable causes of the problem?
o How serious is the problem?
§ Who are affected by the problem?
o How many are they?
o Where are they located?
o What are their characteristics?
§ What has been done to solve the problem?

The information needed to answer these questions are both quantitative and qualitative. They
could be categorized in the framework given below.

Figure 2. Framework for Analyzing Social Outcomes

2. Resources
A B

3. Services
1. Outcomes 5. Environment and
facilities

D 4. Access and C
utilization of
services and
facilities

1. Outcomes describe the effects of policy on the area of concern. Outcomes can be
described in terms of status, participation, or equity.

2. Resources can be in terms of human, financial, and other materials allocated for
bringing about changes in the outcomes.

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 3. The allocated resources are expected to produce appropriate services and facilities.

4. The services and facilities are expected to result in the outcomes only if there is
access and utilization by the intended clients. Access can be described in terms of
geographic proximity, lack of barriers (legal, cultural, behavioral, material time), or
capacity of clients to use the services and facilities.

5. The environment provides the context in which policy is expected to bring about
changes. The environment includes the physical, economic, social, cultural, and
political context. Some authors include the population, its composition and
distribution, as part of the environment (unless it is the object of policy itself).

Proximate determinants such as the extent to which the target population access and use the
services and facilities directly affect the outcomes. Thus, policies could influence these
determinants in the short- and medium- term. Underlying socioeconomic, demographic and
cultural factors, such as the environment, on the other hand, may form several layers of
causal relationships before they affect the proximate determinants. Therefore, it may take a
longer time and more efforts to effect changes in the outcomes through policies directed at
the underlying factors.

Information Requirements for Situational Analysis

The profile of the target population defines the context; i.e., the physical, economic, social,
cultural, and political environment within which the population lives. At the same time, it
includes a profile of the population in terms of the areas of concern that are the object of
policy. This is done through the use of quantitative social and economic outcome indicators
hand in hand with the descriptive analysis of the cultural and legal setting.

Table 1 below shows examples of information to be used in the profile.

Context Type of information

Socio-demographic Population composition and distribution
Households and family formation
Health and health services
Learning and educational services
Housing conditions
Peace and order status
Economic activity National accounts
Labor force participation
Wages
Household income and expenditure patterns
Poverty
Socio-cultural and political Political structure
Political participation
Relevant laws, statutes, policies
Predominant social structure
Gender roles in the household
Time use
Decision- making patterns in the household

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Time series data and cross sectional data should complement each other. Time series show
the extent and direction of changes over time. On the other hand, cross sectional data, or
those describing various groups within the population, show possible disparities among the
groups. The data in the profile should have meaningful disaggregations, such as those by sex,
age, urban-rural, ethnic ity, among others. Disaggregated data show the possible inequalities
in allocation of resources, opportunities, access, and use of available services and facilities.
The use of disaggregated information is premised on the fact that development affects
different groups of people in different ways.

Another set of information that would be needed in the analysis is the set of norms or
standards against which the indicators on the actual situation is to be compared. These may
be based on national planning standards or international commitments. Where standards have
not been set, comparisons may be made on past data, data for similar localities, national
average, or international averages.

Information on the outcomes are generally impact indicators from surve ys and censuses. On
the other hand, information on resources and use of services and facilities, are available from
administrative records of concerned agencies. Statistical information on the environment
from all three sources, while qualitative information are available from records review. The
national statistical services of the region have varying degrees of capability to provide the
necessary information. If the data needs cannot be met by secondary data, there may be a
need to conduct other forms of data-gathering, such as focused group iscussions and rapid
appraisals.

Analyzing the information

The analysis of the outcomes would basically be gap analysis; i.e., comparing the actual
situation with the planning standards or other norms. Analysis of the time series would show
whether the situation is improving or deteriorating. Comparing the situation of various groups
would

In addition, the analysis should answer the following questions to help identify the problems,
extent of the problems, the target population, the location, and other characteristics of the
target population, as well as the immediate and underlying causes of the problem:

A. Outcomes –Resources-

§ What resources are needed to improve the outcomes?

§ What resources are being provided?
§ Are the allocated resources enough?

B. Resources – Services and Facilities-

§ Are services and facilities produced efficiently?

§ Are the right kind of services and facilities produced from the available
resources?

C. Services and facilities – Access and Utilization of Services and Facilities-

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 § Are the services and facilities located where they are needed?
§ Do people know that the services and facilities are available?
§ Are the services and facilities available to everyone who needs them?
§ Are the services and facilities when needed?
§ Are the services and facilities affordable?
§ Do people actually use the services and facilities?

D. Access and Utilization of Services and Facilities – Outcomes-

§ Do the services and facilities have an impact on the target population?

§ Is the impact positive or negative?

E. Environment-

§ What are the demographic, economic, social, political, and cultural

conditions?
§ How do the conditions affect the availability of resources, provision of
services and facilities, access to and use of these, and the corresponding
outcomes?

The findings should be validated through various means; e.g., focused group discussions and
consultations with the representatives of the target population. The identified problems
should also be prioritized based on given criteria.