Module 1 of 2
Building Foundation
Before you can design effective interventions, you need to understand the problem deeply, know your stakeholders, and develop a clear theory of how change happens.
What You'll Accomplish
By the end of this module, you'll have:
- A comprehensive Problem Tree identifying root causes and effects
- A Stakeholder Map with engagement strategies
- Synthesized insights from community engagement and research
- A Theory of Change articulating your pathway to impact
Learning Journey
Problem Tree Analysis
Uncover root causes and effects using visual problem analysis. Learn AI-assisted desk review with Model Context Protocol to accelerate research while maintaining community validation.
Stakeholder Mapping & Engagement
Identify who influences and is affected by the problem. Use Power-Interest Analysis to design engagement strategies that build authentic partnerships.
Synthesize Data
Transform stakeholder insights and research findings into actionable patterns using Affinity Diagrams. Integrate community voices with desk review data.
Theory of Change
Articulate your pathway from problem to solution. Develop a Theory of Change that connects activities to outcomes to impact, incorporating community insights and assumptions.
What You'll Need
- Time: Set aside 1-1.5 hours per lesson for focused learning
- Materials: Notebook or digital note-taking tool
- Templates: Downloadable Excel/Word templates (provided in each lesson)
- Community Access: Ability to engage with stakeholders (can be virtual)
- Optional: Access to AI tools for desk review (MCP setup guide in Lesson 1.1)
Module 1 Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to common questions about the toolkit, its structure, and how it can support your nonprofit project design work.
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Each lesson builds on the previous one to create a complete foundation. Problem Tree Analysis identifies root causes. Stakeholder Mapping determines who to engage. Data Synthesis combines what you learned from research and stakeholders. Theory of Change articulates your pathway from problem to solution, integrating all previous insights.
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No, we strongly recommend completing stakeholder mapping even if you feel familiar with your community. The Power-Interest Analysis often reveals hidden stakeholders (like policymakers or competing organizations) and helps you design more strategic engagement. Many project failures stem from overlooking key stakeholders.
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Complex problem trees are common when addressing systemic issues. Focus on the 3-5 most critical root causes your project can realistically address. You don't need to solve every branch - just identify the leverage points where your intervention can create the most change. The synthesis step in Lesson 1.3 will help you prioritize.
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AI tools like Model Context Protocol (MCP) accelerate desk review and help you arrive at stakeholder meetings better informed. However, AI research must always be validated with community stakeholders. Think of it as preliminary homework that makes community conversations more productive, not a replacement for authentic engagement.
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Plan to spend 4-6 hours on Module 1 if you engage meaningfully with the exercises and templates. Don't rush through to Module 2. A solid foundation (clear problem analysis, stakeholder map, and theory of change) makes Module 2 (logframes, activities, budgets) much faster and more effective.
Share Your Module 1 Experience
Your feedback shapes future lessons. What worked? What could be better?
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mindmap
root((Your Module 1<br/>Experience))
What Worked<br/>Well
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What Should Come Next?
Share what project design challenges you face and what topics would help you succeed.
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After Building Foundation
Once you've completed Module 1, you'll have a solid foundation for project design. Module 2 (Operationalize) will teach you to transform your Theory of Change into actionable plans with logframes, activity design, proposals, and budgets.