4. Analysis of Solutions (approximately half a day)
The purpose of this stage is to work towards realistic solutions to the problems and
to build awareness of the types of additional stakeholders that may need to be
engaged.
The approach is to analyse in detail the feasibility of alternative solutions with the
whole group.
This process relies on a tool called ‘STEPS analysis’. This tool allows the facilitators
and the group to consider all aspects of proposed solutions in relation to the
following factors:
Social // Technical - Financial // Environmental //
Political - Institutional // Sustainability
This stage starts with a summary of the group’s achievements including a list of
problems, causes and their potential solutions. The group should then debate the
solutions to one or several key problems with STEPS analysis. This requires group
discussion with broad input and debate. The facilitator should also offer his or her
technical advice or opinion where appropriate.
The output is a STEPS table for each key problem tackled. A hypothetical STEPS
analysis table to a common local problem in Sudan is presented below (Table 2.).
STEPS analysis highlights the conditions that must be met to implement an activity and
ways to avoid unwanted outcomes and impacts.
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