DEVELOPMENT OF THE STANDARD ANALYTICAL FRAMEWORK

WFP is constantly using its experience in the field to review and refine Standard Analytical Framework guidance.

Even in these early stages of use, the VAM Unit is looking for ways to improve the Standard Analytical Framework to better meet the demands of WFP decision-makers as they draw-up emergency and development programmes.

To this end, SAF guidance is constantly being refined to reflect experience in the field.

The Unit initially used pilot projects to develop SAF guidance. These have since been followed-up by periodic reviews and additional SAF assessments in different countries and contexts.

RECOMMENDED ANALYTIC OPERATIONS

For each type of analysis, the SAF sets out a series of recommended analytic operations which will produce information products specifically designed to serve the needs of WFP and its partners.

Each operation is based on a set of "best practices" in assessment, although the selection of tools and methods is left to the discretion of the analyst.

He / she will base their choice of method and tool on the type of information available, time and resource constraints, and the specific skills available. This 'bottom-up' approach to defining analytic guidance encourages innovation, often letting new ideas float to the surface.

By offering guidelines rather than a single, rigid formula, SAF allows WFP analysts to adapt assessments to specific country characteristics rather than make the country fit the assessment.

ROLE OF VAM-Rome

Throughout this development process, VAM-Rome acts as a 'sorting office' - comparing results, documenting lessons learnt and facilitating the exchange of new experiences. It can also help to adapt one field officer's new approach to other countries.