Activity Design Checklist | Setup Your Project for Success

Quality Assessment Purpose

Strong designs score 18-20 of 20.

Activity Quality Checklist Decision Flow

Six checks decide readiness.

flowchart TB
    START["Activity Design<br/>Complete"]:::gray

    CHECK1{"Does activity build on<br/>existing community assets?"}:::gold
    REVISE1["<strong>REVISE:</strong><br/>Identify and integrate<br/>community assets"]:::red

    CHECK2{"Does activity respect<br/>community values, timing,<br/>protocols?"}:::gold
    REVISE2["<strong>REVISE:</strong><br/>Adjust for<br/>cultural fit"]:::red

    CHECK3{"Are appropriate stakeholders<br/>engaged at right<br/>partnership level?"}:::gold
    REVISE3["<strong>REVISE:</strong><br/>Review power-interest grid,<br/>adjust engagement"]:::red

    CHECK4{"Is capacity transfer and<br/>local ownership<br/>designed in?"}:::gold
    REVISE4["<strong>REVISE:</strong><br/>Add sustainability<br/>elements"]:::red

    CHECK5{"Are resource requirements<br/>feasible and sustainable?"}:::gold
    REVISE5["<strong>REVISE:</strong><br/>Adjust scope or mobilize<br/>additional resources"]:::red

    CHECK6{"Does activity clearly<br/>connect to Logframe<br/>outputs/outcomes?"}:::gold
    REVISE6["<strong>REVISE:</strong><br/>Clarify ToC logic and<br/>Logframe alignment"]:::red

    APPROVED["<strong>APPROVED:</strong><br/>Ready for Implementation"]:::green

    START --> CHECK1
    CHECK1 -->|YES| CHECK2
    CHECK1 -.->|NO| REVISE1
    REVISE1 -.-> START

    CHECK2 -->|YES| CHECK3
    CHECK2 -.->|NO| REVISE2
    REVISE2 -.-> START

    CHECK3 -->|YES| CHECK4
    CHECK3 -.->|NO| REVISE3
    REVISE3 -.-> START

    CHECK4 -->|YES| CHECK5
    CHECK4 -.->|NO| REVISE4
    REVISE4 -.-> START

    CHECK5 -->|YES| CHECK6
    CHECK5 -.->|NO| REVISE5
    REVISE5 -.-> START

    CHECK6 -->|YES| APPROVED
    CHECK6 -.->|NO| REVISE6
    REVISE6 -.-> START

    classDef green fill:#10B981,stroke:#059669,color:#FFF
    classDef gold fill:#F59E0B,stroke:#D97706,color:#000
    classDef gray fill:#6B7280,stroke:#4B5563,color:#FFF
    classDef red fill:#E12729,stroke:#B91C1C,color:#FFF

Revision Cycles Are Normal

Each "NO" names a weakness.

Four Quality Dimensions

Dimension 1: Foundation Integration (5 criteria)

Problem Tree Root Causes Guide Activity Focus

Each activity addresses a root cause.

Stakeholder Mapping Informs Partnership Approach

Roles match the power-interest quadrant.

Affinity Themes Become Quality Standards

Priorities become specific quality measures.

Theory of Change Logic Maintained

Sequence follows the ToC pathway.

Logframe Specifications Operationalized

Each Logframe activity breaks into tasks.

Score: /5

Dimension 2: Community-Centeredness (5 criteria)

Asset-Based Implementation Approach

Activities build on assets.

Cultural Appropriateness Throughout

Language and timing match community norms.

Partnership Quality and Equity

Members hold real planning roles.

Sustainability Through Local Ownership

Capacity and ownership grow over time.

Community Voice Preserved in Documentation

Documentation uses community language.

Score: /5

Dimension 3: Implementation Readiness (5 criteria)

Complete Resource Specification

All five resource types are mapped.

Realistic Timeline Development

Timeline respects rhythms, with buffer time.

Risk Mitigation Strategies

Assumptions have warnings and contingencies.

Quality Standards and Monitoring

Standards are specific and verifiable.

Task-Level Implementation Detail

Tasks are specific enough to budget.

Score: /5

Dimension 4: Adaptive Capacity (5 criteria)

Multiple Feedback Channels

Formal, informal, and digital channels gather input.

Participatory Learning Processes

Reflection sessions capture successes and challenges.

Clear Adaptation Protocols

Minor, major, and strategic changes each have a path.

Flexibility Within Structure

Review points allow adjustment without losing rigor.

Feedback Integration Demonstrable

Community can see its input matter.

Score: /5

Overall Quality Assessment

Your Activity Design Quality Score

/ 20 criteria met

Quality Level:

Strong (18-20)

Proceed to proposal writing.

Developing (14-17)

Strengthen unchecked criteria first.

Needs Strengthening (10-13)

Schedule validation first.

Requires Revision (< 10)

Revisit Module 1 work.

Common Activity Design Pitfalls

Asset Blindness

Ignoring community strengths, building parallel systems.

Cultural Insensitivity

Imposing outside approaches without adapting to local context.

Partnership Extractivism

Treating community as a data source, not a partner.

Implementation Disconnect

Rigid plans that ignore feedback and early warning signs.

When to Pause and Strengthen

Below 14, revisit Module 1 foundation work.

Using This Checklist Throughout Implementation

Use it before, during, and after implementation.

Quality as Community Partnership

The best designs pair rigor with ownership.

Quality Checklist

Quality Assessment Purpose

Activity Quality Checklist Decision Flow

Revision Cycles Are Normal

Four Quality Dimensions

Dimension 1: Foundation Integration (5 criteria)

Dimension 2: Community-Centeredness (5 criteria)

Dimension 3: Implementation Readiness (5 criteria)

Dimension 4: Adaptive Capacity (5 criteria)

Overall Quality Assessment

Your Activity Design Quality Score

Common Activity Design Pitfalls

Asset Blindness

Cultural Insensitivity

Partnership Extractivism

Implementation Disconnect

When to Pause and Strengthen

Using This Checklist Throughout Implementation

Quality as Community Partnership

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