Planning+analysis+workshop+May+9+-11+2011


 * May 9 -11 Baseline Analysis Workshop: Planning, Implementation, Innovation, Livelihoods**

This workshop will bring together the baseline research teams from the 3 sites for analysis and discussion of findings. Teams have been requested to organise their data in advance using spreadsheets and to think about what the data means for the overarching questions we need to answer.

We suggest running 3 analysis sessions on planning, implementation and innovation using the following approach:

All teams will be asked to do some thinking on a few selected questions from the list above. They should come to the workshop ready to present (informally) and discuss their preliminary conclusions on: //Planning:// //Implementation:// //Innovation//
 * How far is the planning of RWM interventions (a) based on evidence and (b) participatory?
 * What are the barriers to more evidence-based and participatory planning?
 * How could these be overcome?
 * Do all actors involved in RWM implementation have the necessary (a) skills/knowledge and (b) motivation/support to implement plans effectively?
 * If not, why not?
 * How could implementers be better equipped and supported to improve RWM?

For each session one team will be asked to present their findings //and show how they justify these with evidence from the research.// The other team/s will then be invited to comment on whether they have similar findings, and share any different conclusions. We will then discuss as a group, using the data spreadsheets to explore questions such as:
 * How far does the evidence from the field support the conclusions? Are there any alternative explanations?
 * Are there any contradictions or conflicts in what different stakeholders told us? Why might this be, and how should we deal with it?
 * Is the picture similar across kebeles within each study site, and/or between woredas? What does this suggest about the level at which barriers lie and where interventions are needed?
 * How should we go about writing up these findings: citing evidence, justifying conclusions, acknowledging areas where we cannot make firm statements and need further study.

After going through one question in detail in this way, we would run through the remainder of the questions which the teams will need to go away and analyse themselves, to make sure that:
 * Everyone understands the purpose of the questions and the kind of answers we are looking for
 * Teams know where to find the answers to each question in their data spreadsheets (to ensure they look across all relevant stakeholders and interview questions - and doccuments if they have them - for relevant information)

The analysis sessions will not be tightly structured as they will very much flow from the findings and data the teams bring with them.

We propose an **agenda** where Day 1 covers Planning (AM) and Implementation (PM), and Day 2 covers Innovation (AM) and Livelihoods (PM). Day 3 could then continue with livelihoods work if needed (depending how KS wishes to do this), or simply be a working day where teams sit down and do some more analysis with backstopping from us. I think it is a good idea to set aside some time for the teams to work, to ensure that they do work as a team (rather than, for example, some members writing up some interviews and others other interviews, which runs counter to the analytical approach we need). At some point on Day 1 or 2, I would also like to fit in a short presentation/discsussion on qualitative data analysis, recapping material from the November workshop and giving some examples of how qualitative evidence should be reported in writing. This would form a handout the teams can take away with them.

Comments/suggestions welcome!