© Foundations of Success 5. Conceptual Models © Foundations of Success

Adaptive Management Course Outline Team, Scope, Vision Conservation Targets Viability Assessment Goals Determining Strategies Results Chains Objectives and Activities Threat Rating Conceptual Model CMP’s Open Standards Project Cycle Monitoring Plan

Step 1 Conceptualize

This Presentation What Are Situation Analysis and Conceptual Models How to Develop Conceptual Models Examples How Project Teams Have Used Conceptual Models

A Common Challenge in Conservation How can people from many different perspectives involved in a project productively discuss the problems that they face? There are problems of: Inconsistent use of terms Different goals Varying assumptions Sometimes people think they are speaking a common language and operating under the same goals and assumptions, but how can they really be sure if they have not explicitly agreed on these with other team members?

A Solution... Conceptual models

What is Situation Analysis? A process that will help your project team create together a common understanding of your project’s context – including the biological, environment and the social, economic, political, and institutional systems that affect the conservation targets you want to conserve. Can be in-depth, formal study or less formal description based on available information and/or knowledge of key informants

What is a Conceptual Model? A diagram that portrays what is happening at a project site (tool for documenting situation analysis). It shows the major forces (threats and opportunities) that are influencing biodiversity and lays out the causal relationships among those forces. A good conceptual model… Conceptual model is a tool for documenting your situation analysis

1. Presents a picture of the situation at the project site It should include your:

2. Shows assumed linkages between factors

3. Shows major direct threats and indirect threats and opportunities Indirect Threats & Opportunities (Root Causes): Factors that contribute (positively or negatively) to direct threats

4. Presents only relevant factors

4. Presents only relevant factors

4. Presents only relevant factors But, how relevant are these other factors to what you can do at your project site?

4. Presents only relevant factors But, how relevant are these other factors to what you can do at your project site?

4. Presents only relevant factors But, how relevant are these other factors to what you can do at your project site?

4. Presents only relevant factors But, how relevant are these other factors to what you can do at your project site?

4. Presents only relevant factors But, how relevant are these other factors to what you can do at your project site?

5. Is based on sound data and information Existing Information Primary Information Existing Information: Data that have already been collected for some other purpose than designing and monitoring your project Primary Information: Data that you specifically collect while designing and monitoring your project

6. Results from a team effort

A Good Conceptual Model: Presents a picture of your site Shows assumed relationships between factors Shows major direct threats and indirect threats and opportunities Presents only relevant factors Based on sound data and information Results from a team effort

This Presentation What Are Situation Analysis and Conceptual Models How to Develop Conceptual Models Examples How Project Teams Have Used Conceptual Models

1. Place Your Project Scope, Targets and Direct Threats Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

2. Add Indirect Threats and Opportunities Limited awareness of sustainable land management Weak law enforcement Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

2. Add Indirect Threats and Opportunities Ineffective policies for wetland management Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

2. Add Indirect Threats and Opportunities A growing population that is putting increased pressure on food, water, and land resources Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

2. Add Indirect Threats and Opportunities Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?) Economic disincentive for pesticide-free farming

2. Add Indirect Threats and Opportunities Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

This Presentation What Are Situation Analysis and Conceptual Models How to Develop Conceptual Models Examples How Project Teams Have Used Conceptual Models

Example: Watershed Site Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

Example: Watershed Site Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

Example: Watershed Site Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

Example: Watershed Site Mention: Opportunities Showing uncertainty in relationships (with a ?)

This Presentation What Are Situation Analysis and Conceptual Models How to Develop Conceptual Models Examples How Project Teams Have Used Conceptual Models

How Have Teams Used Conceptual Models? To help team members agree on what is happening at their site Hudson River – large group of stakeholders – approximately 70 people from 35 different organizations. Came together and agreed on the targets and threats. For each of high priority threats, developed more detailed conceptual model

How Have Teams Used Conceptual Models? To communicate with and engage donors, partners and stakeholders Hudson River – large group of stakeholders – approximately 70 people from 25 different organizations. Came together and agreed on the targets and threats. For each of high priority threats, developed more detailed conceptual model

How Have Teams Used Conceptual Models? To provide a framework for strategic planning Example of the factors leading to threat of incompatible development. Chose 2 that were important leverage points and also areas where there was existing expertise within the group.

How Have Teams Used Conceptual Models? To develop monitoring & evaluation plans Knowing what factors they are trying to influence – at a minimum, need to monitor those factors in the model related to the areas where they are taking action.

How Have Teams Used Conceptual Models? To develop monitoring & evaluation plans Might also want to measure a few other key factors that might influence the extent to which they can be successful with their strategy.

Instructions Assignment - Develop a Conceptual Model Develop a Conceptual Model based on your team’s current knowledge of your site Assemble your project team Place your project scope, conservation targets and direct threats Add indirect threats and opportunities Document your work in the Diagram view of Miradi Prepare a 15-minute presentation of your conceptual model. During the presentation, we suggest describing the model from the right (conservation targets) to the left (direct threats and then indirect threats and opportunities). Since you already described your conservation targets and direct threats during previous classes, you can just mention them briefly here.