Preparation
- Structure an integrated action plan covering all fundamental aspects of a project.
- Encourage collective reflection to ensure a well-grounded and effective intervention.
- Facilitate participatory and collaborative project design or evaluation.
- Large sheets or flipcharts for each of the nine questions.
- Markers, pens, and sticky notes for recording ideas and reflections.
- Templates with the nine questions for each participant or group.
- A spacious, comfortable area for participants to work in teams.
- Arrange worktables so teams can collaborate comfortably.
- Provide a common area to share and display results.
- Use a collaborative digital whiteboard to record answers to questions in real time.
- Divide participants into virtual breakout rooms to discuss each question in small groups.
- Assign a moderator to collect and present each group’s conclusions during the plenary session.
Step-by-step instructions
Introduction to the nine questions
- Explain that the technique involves answering nine key questions covering all fundamental aspects of a project.
- Present the questions and explain how they interconnect to form a comprehensive plan:
- What?: Nature of the project.
- Why?: Justification.
- What for?: Objectives.
- For whom?: Target group.
- Where?: Location.
- How?: Methodology of actions and evaluation.
- When?: Timeline.
- With what?: Material, economic, and human resources.
- How much?: Budget.
Group work
- Divide participants into small groups, assigning one or more questions to each team.
- Each group reflects on their assigned question(s) and records their answers on a flipchart or digital board.
Presentation of results
- Each group shares their answers with the other participants, highlighting key points from their analyses.
- Use the common area to consolidate responses and structure the integrated action plan.
Group reflection
- Guide a general discussion on the resulting plan:
- Which areas need more development or clarification?
- Are there overlapping aspects or adjustments needed?
- How do the answers connect to form a cohesive plan?
Materials
Practical recommendations
Define a clear scope
Ensure participants understand the context and objectives of the project before answering the questions.
Facilitate collaboration
Assign roles within each group (e.g., facilitator, recorder, presenter) to organize work effectively.
Use real-life examples
Present examples of similar projects to guide initial reflections.
Encourage creativity
Invite groups to use diagrams, drawings, or illustrations to express their ideas visually.
Set specific timeframes
Allocate defined time periods for answering each question and for group presentations.
Document the entire process
Take photos or record responses to maintain a record of discussions and the resulting plan.
Encourage connections
Invite participants to identify how their answers relate to those of other groups.
Include a final evaluation
Reflect on the quality of the generated plan and identify next steps for implementation.
Adapt language
Simplify questions if working with less technical audiences.
Plan for follow-up
Schedule a future session to assess progress in implementing the plan.
Inspiration
Establishing a Community Garden
- What?: Create a communal space to grow food.
- Why?: Promote food sustainability and community engagement.
- What for?: Enhance food security and strengthen community ties.
- For whom?: Local residents, particularly low-income families.
- Where?: An unused lot at the neighborhood’s center.
- How?: Organize gardening workshops, set up a maintenance team, and measure impact through surveys.
- When?: Start in spring, with quarterly progress reviews.
- With what?: Gardening tools, seeds, volunteers, and donations.
- How much?: Initial budget of $500 for tools and seeds.
