How to Document a Solution


Capitalizing on its experiences in documenting and sharing Southern development solutions, the GSSD Academy has established streamlined methodologies to support  the recording of solutions.

In order to make the documentation and dissemination of solutions the most relevant to other practitioners, the GSSD Academy recommends the production of case studies that contain the elements outlined below. Moreover, detailed yet concise case studies of approximately 4,000 to 5,000 words are usually the most meaningful. It is often helpful to include illustrations and pictures that engage the reader.

Outline for the Description of the Southern Development Solution (Innovative Practice)

1. Title

2. Overview

a. Location, target community or communities, number of beneficiaries, implementation period

b. Budget

3. Implementing Institution/Development Actor(s)

4. Summary

a. Brief overview of the solution (innovative practice)

b. Overview of objectives and results

5. Background and Justification

a. What are the context, problem and environment?

b. Why is the project important?

c. What are the challenges and constraints?

d. What are the intended outcomes?

6. Activities, Achievements and Impact

a. Main activities of the project

i. Achievements to date with respect to the anticipated outcomes

ii. Summary of strengths and weaknesses

7. Planning and Design of the Project

a. Planning process 

b. Representativeness

c. Community involvement

d. Local institution-building (through informal groups' networks, etc.)

e. Plans for sustainability  (links to other projects, funding, human resources, etc.)

f. Description of evaluation activities to date

8. Partnerships

a. Overview of implementing institution(s)

b. Role of government

c. Civil society partnerships

d. Role of multilateral agencies

e. Role of the private sector

9.  Lessons Learned

10. Future Plans

a. Extension(s) and expansion(s) of the project that are currently being planned

11. Replicability and Scalability

a. Prerequisites for replication (with any adjustments needed)

b. Experiences in replicating the innovative practice in other areas or contexts (if any)

c. Suggested steps for replication

d. Potential partnerships (what a partner is willing to provide upon request)

12. Contacts

a. Details of implementing institution(s)

i. Head, address, tel no., fax no., e-mail, website

ii. Project team and individuals in leading roles (name, address, tel no., fax no., e-mail)

b. Practice documentation team:

i. name, address,  tel no., fax no., e-mail, website of each member

13. Publications and references

As an alternative to the full documentation of a Southern development solution, it is possible to prepare a shorter version, a Southern Solution Brief. For guidelines on the preparation of a Southern Solution Brief, please click here.

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