PARTCIPATORY LEARNING
FOR ACTION (PLA)
CCIH CONFERENCE
MAY 27-29, 2006
WORKSHOP
Sri Chander
WORLD VISION
ASIA-PACIFIC REGION
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
• HOW PLA IS UNIQUE COMPARED TO
OTHER BASELINE TOOLS
• PLA REQUIRES A PARADIGM SHIFT
• EFFECTIVE USES OF PLA
• ‘HOW-TOs’ OF BASIC PLA EXERCISES
• ‘HOW-TOs’ OF 10-SEED METHOD
EXERCISES
• CONCLUSIONS
“DO QUALITATIVE
BEFORE QUANTITATIVE
BASELINES”
WHY ?
QUALITATIVE
METHODOLOGIES:
1.PLA—1 of most powerful tools
1.APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY (AI)
2.FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSIONS
(FGDs)
3.IN-DEPTH INTERVIEWS
(IDIs)
4.OBSERVATIONAL STUDIES
TYPES OF DIFFERENT
QUALITATIVE APPROACHES
• PLA=an effective, low-cost, empowering,
participatory method of gathering qualitative
& semi-structured info (beliefs, behaviors)
• Can discuss controversial/sensitive topics
in a non-threatening way
• Heterogeneous—in age, gender, income,
religion, ethnicity, social class, etc
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Flexible: people come and go--anything goes
No pre-set, leading questions
Who? What? Where? When? Where? How?
What else? What else? What else?....
TYPES OF DIFFERENT
QUALITATIVE APPROACHES
2. FGDs:
– Homogeneous
– pre-set questions
– focused
-- pre-assembled group
-- time-limited
TYPES OF DIFFERENT
QUALITATIVE APPROACHES
3. AI
• best practices/positive
deviance
• “what has worked best ?”
• “promising practices”
• success-oriented
4. IDI
• focus on key people, information
APPRECIATIVE INQUIRY (AI)
•
An envisioning, planning process
Asks:
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What do we do well ? (current strengths)
What do we need to do better ?(future vision)
What is causing the gap ? (problem analysis)
How can we bridge the gap ? (strategy/action
plan)
Focus on best practices, affirms strengths, builds
on them to move to improve practices to create
the desired future.
PARTICIPATORY LEARNING
FOR ACTION (PLA)
• Needs a radical paradigm shift= a reversal of
attitude, to learning from the community, of where
they are at
• Involves understanding the community
from its world view
in all its diverse complexity
the restraints and limitations
and the adverse environment which cumulatively
result in
POVERTY
• Frequent triangulation needed to cross-verify
info
PARTICIPATORY LEARNING
FOR ACTION (PLA)
• Involves use of a sequence of
exercises to understand the community
and its survival strategy
• Start only:
--after rapport established with
community
--after clearly explaining to community
that we ‘outsiders’ are there to learn
from them
PARTICIPATORY LEARNING
FOR ACTION (PLA)
Is effective because
it seeks to understand
the SURVIVAL STRATEGY of
the community,
appraise it
and show ways to
enhance the capability of that effort
to ensure sustainability
PARTICIPATORY LEARNING
FOR ACTION (PLA)
• Sequence of PLA exercisesanalyses
write a 1-2 page story of the
community
feedback it to them for validation/
triangulation
• Assist them to do a Capability/ Vulnerability (C/V) Analysis of themselves
• Facilitate them to develop a Community
Development Resource Plan (CDRP)
USES OF PARTICIPATORY
LEARNING FOR ACTION (PLA)
• A COMMUNITY MIRROR: BLIND SPOTS
• IDENTIFY KNOWLEDGE-PRACTICE
GAPS
• ASSESS COMMUNITY CAPABILITIES/
VULNERABILITIES/POTENTIAL
• DESIGN MESSAGES, IMAGES &
MATERIALS FOR BCC & TRAINING
• FACILITATE CLIENT APPRAISAL OF
SERVICE QUALITY
• DEVELOP MICRO-LEVEL RESOURCE/
SUSTAINABILITY ACTION PLANS
PLA TEAM MEMBERS
• FACILITATOR
• RECODER
• ‘FILTER”
SOME COMMON
PLA EXERCISES (1)
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TIME LINE
TREND ANALYSIS
SEASONALITY DIAGRAMS
WEALTH (OR WELL-BEING) RANKING
CAUSAL DIAGRAMS
MATRIX RANKING
CHAPPATI DIAGRAM
PROFILE OF WOMEN’ WORK DAY
TRANSECTS
SOME COMMON
PLA EXERCISES (2)
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CONFLICT ANALYSIS
BODY MAPPING OF A WOMAN
LIVELIHOOD ANALYSIS
PATTERNS OF LAND USE
INTEGRATED OUTPUTS OF
PLA EXERCISES
• ONE-PAGE STORY
• VILLAGE/COMMUNITY
RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
TIME LINE
GOOD ICE-BREAKER AS 1ST EX
AIM: HISTORICAL REVIEW—MAJOR
EVENTS AND THEIR IMPACT;
THEIR SURVIVAL STRATEGY TO ADAPT
TO CHANGE
METHOD: ASK OLDER FOLKS HOW
VILLAGE GOT ITS NAME; OTHERS
JOIN IN; ASK ABT MAJOR EVENTS;
APPROX WHEN?
OUTPUT: CHART: APPROX YR (1 SIDE)+
EVENTS ON OTHER SIDE
TREND ANALYSIS
AIM: UNDERSTAND HOW AGRICULT URE, FORESTS, HEALTH, SEXUAL
PATTERNS, WORSHIP, EDUCATION,
etc, HAVE CHANGED OVER YRS
METHOD: ASK THEM TO DRAW
CHANGES IN PATTERNS FROM TIME
THEY WERE YOUNG UNTIL NOW
OUTPUT: RECALLABLE TRENDS INDICATE CHANGES IN ATTITUDES/
ACTIONS
SEASONALITY DIAGRAM`
AIM: UNDERSTAND HOW SEASONS (r/f)
DETERMINE VILLAGE ACTIVITIES LIKE
AGRIC, EMPLOYMENT, MIGRATION
DISEASES, LOAN REQUIREMENTS,
FESTIVALS, etc
METHOD: ASK TO IDENTIFY NAMES OF
MONTHS, USING 12 STONES. USE SEEDS &
ASK TO SHOW MONTH OF R/F, AGRIC,
WORKLOAD, DISEASE INCIDENCE,
FESTIVAL SEASON, SEASONS OF INCOME,
LOAN NEEDS
OUTPUT: IDENTIFY CRISIS PERIODS NEEDING OUTSIDE HELP; SEASONAL MIGRATION
WHEN TO START NEW PROG/MODIFY CURR
PROG-epI CALENDAR-DIARHHEA/MALARIA
WEALTH (OR WELL-BEING) RANKING
AIM: TO LOCATE POOREST OF POOR , USING
COMMUNITY’S ANALYTICAL POWERS TO
COMPARE PRODUCTIVE PERSONS WITH
LESS LAND WITH PERSONS W/ MORE LAND
BUT LESS PRODUCTIVE
METHOD:
• WRITE HH HEADS’ NAMES: PAPER SLIPS
• PROFILE TYPES OF WEALTH
GROUPS∞FOOD INTAKE, AGRIC, SOWING
CAPACITY, FMILY SIZE, PROPERTY, USE OF
VEHICLE/LUXURY ITEMS
• CLASSIFY PAPER SLIPS∞WEALTH GRPS
• CAN FURTHER CLASSIFY IN SERIAL ORDER
OUTPUT:
• IDENTIFY POOREST OF POOR WHO NEED
HELP 1ST FOR CHILD SPONSORSHIP/ MED
CAUSAL DIAGRAMS
AIM: UNDERSTAND:
• HOW THINGS LINK WITH EACH OTHER & WHAT THEY
LEAD TO
• CHANGES NEEDED TO REVERSE PROCESS
METHOD:
• IDENTIFY MOST IMPT PROBLEM: put in center
• LIST CAUSES/TRACE BACKWARDS W/ ARROWS
• FIND WHAT HAPPENED?
• RESULT: MAZE OF CIRCLES & ARROWS
OUTPUT:
• USE TO DISCUSS HOW TO OVERCOME PROBLEM
Eg HIV/prostitution/’hidden’ diseases/malnutrition &
service quality/abortions/barriers to FP/Bs, night
blindness in children and pregnant women, TB in children
MATRIX RANKING OR SCORING
AIM:
• UNDERSTAND RATIONALE OF
VARIOUS CHOICES OF COMMUNITY
• IDENTIFY REASONS FOR CHOICE OF
CROPS, ENTERPRISE, HEALTHSEEKING, BORROWING INTEREST
RATES, EXPENDITURE PATTERNS,etc
METHOD: USE TEN-SEED METHOD TO
SCORE CHOICES
OUTPUT: PIE CHART/RANK LIST OF
CHOICES
CHAPPATI (VENN) DIAGRAM
AIM: UNDERSTAND
• WHICH INSTITUTIONS/GRPS ARE IMPT TO COMMUNITY
• LEVEL & FREQUENCY OF INTERACTIONS
METHOD:
• LIST IMPT PERSONS/INSTITUTIONS-- INT/EXT
• PREPARE COLORED PAPER CIRCLES OF DIFF SIZES—
LARGER=MORE IMPT
• PLACE DOT IN CENTER OF FLOOR/WHITE PAPER
• PLACE CIRCLES∞IMPT/FREQ OF INTERACTIONS
• MORE IMPT/FREQ= PLACE IN CENTER
• STICK TO WHITE PAPER AFTER CROSS-CHECK
• DSICUSS CORELATION OF CIRCLES
OUTPUT: CHAPPATI DIAGRAM OF POWER RELATIONSHIPS
& DISCUSS WHICH/HOW INSITUTIONS TO STRENGTHEN
PROFILE OF A WOMAN’S DAY
AIM: UNDERSTAND WORKLOAD OF WOMEN
& DRUDGERY THEY FACE.
METHOD: MAINLY WITH WOMEN; MAN CAN
BE HINDRANCE. START WITH WAKE TIME
TO SLEEP TIME. USE DIFFERENT OBJECTS
TO REPRESENT DIFFERENT ACTIVITIES
OUTPUT: CHART OF WOMAN’S WORK DAY.
WOMEN-SENSITIVE PLANS FOR SUITABLE
TIME/DAY/PLACE FOR MEETING, TRAINING,
STARTING OF PROG
(eg—reaching SWs in Mumbai)
TRANSECTS
AIM: QUICK ANALYTICAL STOCK OF COMM
RESOURCES, PROBLEMS FACED, & POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR INTERVENTION
METHOD:
• DRAW RESOURCE MAP—MARK PATH THRU’
MOST RESOURCES EN ROUTE=TRANSECT
• WALK ALONG ROUTE—OBSERVE & ASK SOIL &
LAND TYPE, CROP CULTIVATION IN DIFF
SEASONS, TREES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY, FISH,
PROBLEMS, OPPORTUNITIES
OUTPUT: DETAILED INVENMTORY OF
RESOURCES MATCHED WITH SPECIFIC
PROBLEMS AND POTENTIAL
OPPORTUNITIES FOR DEVELOPMENT
CONFLICT ANALYSIS
AIM:
• UNDERSTAND LOCAL CAUSES OF CONFLICT &
MEANS OF RESOLVING THEM
• BE SENSITIVE TO POWER STRUCTURES
METHOD: (BEST 2ND OR 3RD DAY OF EXs)
• LIST ALL CAUSES OF CONFLICT
• IMAGINE ALL CONFLICTS EQUAL TO 1 Rp
• MARK OUT CHUNKS TO REPRESENT # OF paise
TO INDICATE PART PLAYED BY EACH CAUSE
OUTPUT:
• PIE DIAGRAM
• DISCUSS HOW TO RESOLVE CONFLICT
BODY MAPPING OF A WOMAN
AIM: HELP WOMEN UNDERSTAND BODY
PARTS & FUNCTIONS
METHOD: PREFERABLY WITH MARRIED
WOMEN ONLY
• ASK TO DRAW OUT PICTURE OF WOMAN
• LABEL BODY PARTS
• DISCUSS FUNCTION OF EACH PARTS
OUTPUT: PICTURE WITH BODY PARTS
KEY FUNCTIONS AND KEY PROBLEMS
DISCUSSED; LOCAL TREATMENT OF HIDDEN
WOMEN’S DISEASES DISCUSSED
LIVELIHOOD ANALYSIS
AIM: UNDERSTAND COMMUNITY
OPTIONS TO EARN A LIVING
METHOD: USE TEN-SEED METHOD
TO SCORE CHOICES (SIMILAR TO
MATRIX RANKING EXERCISE)
OUTPUT:PIE CHART/RANK LIST OF
CHOICES
PATTERNS OF LAND USE
AIM: UNDERSTAND HOW COMMUNITY
HAS MADE USE OF ITS LAND
RESOURCES
METHOD:USE TEN-SEED METHOD
TO SCORE CHOICES (SIMILAR TO
MATRIX RANKING EXERCISE)
OUTPUT:PIE CHART/RANK LIST OF
CHOICES
TEN-SEED TECHNIQUES FOR HIV PROG:
• ESTIMATING MULTI-PARTNER SEX IN THE
COMMUNITY
• KAP/RISK PERCEPTION--HIV/AIDS/STI
--IN COMMUNITY
--IN SEX WORKERS
--IN SEX WORKERSS’ CLIENTS
• ESTIMATING ALCOHOLISM, esp OF SW
CLIENTS & HUSBANDS
• CONDOM USE/ACCESS/PREFERENCE
• SEX WORKER PATRONAGE—FREQ, COST &
REASONS
• HH FOOD SECURITY & HIV VULNERABILITY
TEN SEED METHOD FOR CS/RH
PROGRAMS
• ASSESS WOMEN’S DEMAND FOR
BIRTH SPACING/FAMILY PLANNING
• AS PRACTICE OF USING ABORTION
AS A FERTLITY CONTROL METHOD
• K & A OF LEADERS TOWARDS
ABSTINENCE & OCs for BS/FP
• ASSESS P OF COLOSTRUM FEEDING,
EBF, WEANING FOODS FROM 7TH MTH
• COVERAGE WITH IMMUNIZATION AND
VITAMIN A IN KIDS
ONE PAGE STORY—TYING IT ALL UP
AIM: EXEC SUMMARY OF BACKGRD, PROBLEMS, SURVIVAL
STRATEGY & POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES
METHOD:
• 1ST:ALL GRPS MAKE PRESENTATIONS
• ALL MAKE OWN OBSERVTNS/ NOTES
• GRPs PREPARE OWN 1-PG STORY
CRITERIA: ONE PAGE, 3 PARAGRAPHS ONLY
• HISTORY/PAST CRISES/KEY EVENTS
• LIST MAJOR CAPABILITIES/VULNERABILITIES (C/V)
• COMMUNITY SOLUTIONS TO OVERCOME VULNERABILITY
PROCESS:
• EACH GROUP READS 1-PAGE STORY
• SELECT BEST & MOST CONCISE 1 PAGE STORY
• READ PARA 1+ 2 TO COMMUNITY—ASK TO ADD, CORRECT OR
MODIFY
OUTPUT: SUMMARY FINDINGS BASED ON ALL EXERCISES
CONDUCTED
COMMUNITY RESOURCE
DEVELOPMENT PLAN
PROCESS:
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COMPLETE ALL BASIC PLA EXs
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MEET COMMUNITY AT CENTRAL LOC
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DISCUSS FINAL PLA FINDINGS
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ASK COMMUNTIES TO IDENITFY CAPABILITIES/VULNERABILITIES
(C/V analyses)
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ENCOURAGE DEV PROG PLANNING:
--PREPARE ROUGH POA LIST
--SORT SEQ: No cost/no tech
Low cist/local tech
Medium cost/medium tech
high cost/high tech
--ENSURE ,OST ACTIVITIES BENEFIT POOREST OF PRROR AND
MOST OF COMMUNITY
--FILTER OUT ‘LOUD MOUTH’ VOICES
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RE-DISCUSS SPECIFIC ACTIVITIES IN THEPOA
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COMMIUNITY CHOOSES PERSONS RESPONSIBLE
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COMMUNITY SELECXTS REVIEW TEAM TO TRACK PROGRESS
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MARK/ASSIGN PLANS THAT NEED OUTSIDE HELP
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ASSIST COMMUNITY TO DEVELOP COSTS/BUDGET
TIME HAS PROVEN
(And if we are honest we
would also admit)
That
The community members are
THE BEST MANAGERS
OF SCARCE
RESOURCES
EXTERNAL EFFORTS JUST
COMPLEMENT & ENHANCE
THESE EFFORTS
PARTICIPATORY LEARNING
FOR ACTION (PLA)
Is effective because
it seeks to understand
the SURVIVAL STRATEGY of
the community,
appraise it
and show ways to
enhance the capability of that effort
to ensure sustainability