Situation Analysis
Conduct a situation analysis in order to intentionally gather data and synthesize it.
we know from Uncertain Knowing that the world isn’t static, so our understanding of the world can’t be static either. “Knowing” what’s going on is a constant process of analysis mixed with uncertainty.
In a complex situation where lots of people are acting independently with different motives and goals, it’s easy to get confused and overwhelmed.
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The term “situation analysis” refers to a number of different types of analysis, but they mostly differ in the kinds of questions they try to answer and how the results are communicated to others. The general process for analysis involves some form of these six steps:
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Step 1: Determine the key questions to be answered:
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Some examples: What is the situation? How severe is it? What influences are making the situation better or worse? Who are the people affected? What possible actions can you take to address the situation? What is the broad context?
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Under each of the main questions, list the specific questions that need to be answered for this specific situation.
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Step 2: Develop a data gathering plan (so you can answer the questions)
- This is a matter of figuring out how to get the data that you need. This can be the most challenging part of the process. What are your trusted sources? Do you have trusted people on the ground in the middle of the situation? Finding good data might require some creative thinking.
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Step 3: Gather the data
- Once you know where the data is coming from, gathering it should be relatively easy.
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Step 4: Organize, synthesize and summarize the data
- Use the original questions to organize everything and write 5-6 bullet points or a paragraph answering each question. Make sure you include information about how certain you are about each “fact.”
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Step 5: Communicate the information
- This can be in the form of a written report or a graphic of some kind. I recommend that you try to use some visuals as part of the communication as that often summarized data more effectively that written descriptions.
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Step 6: Consider how to proceed
- Based on the analysis, what would be a plausible course forward?
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Often a matrix of some kind is used to order the results of the analysis and communicate the results. A familiar one in business is the SWOT analysis that looks at the Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats to some part of the business, often presented as four quadrants of a matrix.
Therefore:
Conduct a situation analysis in order to intentionally gather data and synthesize it.
Use the various visual frameworks—Portrait, Chart, Map, Timeline, Flowchart, Multi-Variable Plot—to help you organize and synthesize the data