NZAID Tools Activity Cycle Tools 

Logical Framework Approach

Annex 4: Strategy Analysis

Objective analysis is likely to identify a number of inter-related approaches (branches) that could be adopted to achieve a development impact. A decision needs to be taken as to which objective/s should be included in the Activity strategy.

Strategy analysis involves seven main steps:

  1. Identify the different approaches in the objectives tree.
  2. Eliminate any objectives that are clearly unachievable.
  3. Identify branches already being pursued by other development Activities in the area.
  4. Assess the implications of the different strategies on different stakeholders.
  5. Assess the likely feasibility of the alternative strategies.
  6. Check the choice against the key criteria (see below).
  7. Carry out a detailed risk analysis of the chosen strategy

Key criteria to use in a Strategy Analysis

There are many criteria that can be used to help decide on the most appropriate strategy:

  • Social criteria: distribution of costs and benefits, gender issues, socio-cultural constraints, local preferences and motivation, benefits to target groups, potential ‘champions’ of a project
  • Environmental criteria: environmental impact, environmental costs versus benefits, potential for environmental improvement
  • Technical criteria: appropriateness, use of local resources, technical feasibility and sustainability
  • Institutional criteria: existing institutional capability, contribution of strategy to capacity building, leadership
  • Financial and economic criteria: cost benefit, cost effectiveness, financial sustainability (recurrent costs).

Particular attention should be paid to cross-cutting issues. See NZAID Screening Guide for Mainstreamed and Other Cross Cutting Issues. Other potentially significant issues may include the:

  • Capability of key stakeholders
  • Linkages with other current or planned activities
  • Preferences of intended beneficiaries
  • Urgency of the situation
  • Previous experience of stakeholders
  • Political will, leadership and opportunity.