Effective conflict analysis exercises: Overcoming organizational challenges

Understanding the social and economic factors that affect conflict improves the effectiveness of development strategies and programmes. This paper, published by the World Bank, examines the process of conducting conflict analyses and recommends how they should be organised, applied and disseminated. Creating buy-in for the analysis by country teams, use of local partners and dissemination of analysis findings are key to executing an effective conflict analysis.

In a country affected by conflict, where stakes are high and the situation often fluid, understanding social and economic contexts is critical to effective aid delivery. Development organisations are now making a systematic effort to conduct conflict analyses and integrate findings into their strategies and programmes.

A conflict analysis consists of: 1) the process by which the analysis is planned, organised, conducted and applied; and 2) the content of the analysis, including its thematic focus and scope. This study examined a number of completed analysis processes and recommends ways to strengthen the organisation and application of the exercise.