The Process of Community

Development
 Phase 1. situation analysis

• The community developer assesses the

community comprehensive needs and
problems.

• The community developer undertakes a

comprehensive profile study of the
community, focus equally on physical, social,
economic and political development.
 Community profile
The community profile may include the following:
1.history-the evolution and development of the
community
2.Environment-topography and climate
-geographic boundaries
-open spaces
-sitting of roads, railways lines,
-the use of land in the area and interaction
and balance between industrial, commercial
and residential areas
-layouts of streets and properties
 Community profile
3.Inhabitants
-population-numbers, sex, age, social economic groups,
marital status, education qualifications, degree of literacy
-housing: overpopulation; property rights, households with
or without facilities like a bath, toilet and hot water supply
-work: number of employed or unemployed, considering age
and sex and sex, number of women working or not
working
-social welfare-food distribution, clothing, subsidies, school
non attendance, child mortality, social service, divorce
rates
community networks
-values, traditions
 Community profile
4. Organizations:
• the type of organization listed below should be assessed
regarding the nature and range of services, structures,
goals, policy, funding and personnel, the impact on and
purpose of the community,
-education: schools; secondary; primary, adult education,
parent committee
-Economic activities: community income, type of job
opportunities available, distribution between private and
government work sectors, economic leaders and
organizations, unemployment
-
 Community profile
-cultural organizations; values, norms and traditions
-religious organizations-churches, mosques; participation in
their activities
societies; aims, goals; functions; activities; membership;
economic class, age and sex
-health structures; hospitals; clinics; community health
services
 Community profile

5. Communication: verbal contacts, pamphlets, newsletters,

television, radio, newspapers
6.Power and leadership: local government, elected politicians,
political of inhabitants-organizations having the power of
influence in the community eg professionals, religious
leaders,
7. Potential existing in the community
8. Deficiencies and problems in the community
 Means to achieve situational analysis

-analyse the census data

-study records of organizations
-read it up in a library
-move informally in the community
-conversations with community leaders like teachers, pastors.
-consult sources like maps and charts, data banks and
research material
-Conduct mass interview
 Means to achieve situational analysis

-get to know the local management which may possibly be

able to supply lists of council members, leading politician,
minutes of meetings with useful information
-allow the community to make its survey
• The methods of approach mentioned above can be used in
an integrated or independent manner.
 Means to achieve situational analysis

• In order to use the data meaningfully, it should first be-

analyzed, interpreted, and recorded
 The community as the focus
• The focus of community development interventions falls on
the entire community, it is not possible to be involved with
the entire community
• Therefore, some actions may be aimed at individuals who
are formal leaders eg people in key positions
• Community work and development have to do with groups
which already exist or will organize new groups (groups are
the real nucleus of the community)
 Phase 2. Identification and definition of
needs/problems
• The community analyses the identified needs
and problems with regard to the causes
thereof
• The community identifies all their social,
physical, economic and political development
needs and problems
• The community determines priority needs in a
certain proportion to the above
 Identification and definition of needs/problems

• The community developer utilizes discomfort

as far as the existing situation is concerned as
opposed to the desired situation, to motivate
the community to become involved and to
participate
 Phase 3. Representation by the community

• The community establishes a community development

committee (action Committee) which consists of multi-
professional team members-including community developer
• The community establishes sub-committees for the
programs/projects
 Phase 4. Planning

• The community establishes sub-committees

for the programme/projects of the various
development sectors
• The community development committee
-formulates objectives according to the goals
and draw up time schedule
-determines all resources which may help in
addressing all priority needs or problems
 Planning

-specifies the target group for the project

-formulates the alternative plans for each need or
problem
• The community selects the most suitable plan(s)
• The community development committee:
-prepares the community to implement the plan (s)
-Plan (s) the methods for evaluation of the project
 Phase 5. Implementation of the planning

• The selected plan is implemented according to

all development needs and problems
• The plan is adjusted if necessary
 Phase 7. Evaluation
• The community developer monitors and evaluates the
progress of the community development process
• Evaluation process:
-determine what should be evaluated
-identify consumers of evaluation
-enlisting the cooperation of the personnel involved
 Evaluation
• Specify programme objectives
• Specify evaluation objectives: what the organization would
like to do with the results of the organization
• Select variables: variables which may reflect change
• Apply the measurement: an instrument must measure the
variables.
 Evaluation

• Analyze and interpret findings

• Report/ interpret findings