Project Development Manual
PART I Tools and Techniques
Identification
§
Chapter 1. Concepts
on Development Projects
§
Chapter 2 Situational
Analysis
§
Chapter 3 The
Logical Framework Approach
PART II Project Preparation
Considerations
§
Chapter 3 Organizational
Study
§
Chapter 4 Financial
Analysis
§
Chapter 6 Environmental
Impact Assessment
§
Chapter 7 Social
Impact Assessment
PART III Planning for Project
Implementation
§
Chapter 3 Monitoring
& Evaluation
PART IV Writing and Packaging a
Proposal
PART VI Preparation
of Terms of Reference
Initial project ideas are usually proposed
'solutions' toward meeting unsatisfied needs or overcoming constraints to development
(material, human or institutional). These projects may be identified from national
development plans, sector surveys, industry studies, regional development
schemes, technical packages, etc.
Another important source of projects, are the people faced with real
problems or government field offices and planning units, the private sector, or
even elected and appointed officials who may have direct contact with possible
project beneficiaries.
Regardless
of their origin, projects identified should be in support of the development
goals and objectives of the country as a whole even if the initial intention
was for the sole benefit of a particular sector or community.
These proposed solutions, however, do not
always necessarily guarantee solution to the problems. Its effectiveness as the proper intervention
required to address a concern can only be measured during or even after the
implementation stage itself.
What can be assumed is that the proposed
‘solutions’ are in response to particular problems or identified needs. Therefore, there is a need on the part of
the project developers to conduct a thorough research on the problem(s) at
hand, to draw up possible means of addressing these, and to make sure that
these projects will be acceptable, beneficial to a great majority and
sustainable, among others.
These
have to be consistent with the perception
of the situation by the target group(s) and as well as the decision-makers
with their desire and capacity to improve this situation. This is the reason
why it is important, during the earliest stages of project planning and design,
that the participation of the target beneficiaries and dialogues with them be
encouraged.
Project proponents should have a firm grasp of the
present situation, the problems sought to be addressed, the target group’s
willingness to accept interventions of whatever nature, their willingness to
participate in solving the problem(s) at hand, and what projects are compatible
with the environment and the socio-economic conditions of the identified target
areas.
The task of conducting an in-depth study of the
community sought for the project should also be undertaken prior the setting of
project objectives. Only then can a solution be even conceptualized. Project
identification, therefore, has to be based on a detailed Situation Analysis.
The
following tools and techniques that will be discussed in the next chapters are
useful in analysing the situation for project identification':
·
Concepts on development
projects
·
Problem
Analysis
·
Objectives
Analysis