ABCD-Training-of-Trainers-Tools-July-2013

3.9. Some Tools for Demonstrating Effective Process Facilitation
Defining a Process
(Source: Ninnette Eliasov)
Session Title
Session Objectives
Defining a Process
Come to a common understanding of ‘process’
Understand that process and results are equally important
Duration of Session
Resources
Training Materials
Deconstruct a ‘process’ from participants’ own experience
60 minutes
Flip Chart Paper
Markers
None
Introduction
Transformative development is a process and not an event. It is usually very slow and unpredictable and
often the greatest impacts are invisible (like the development of leadership and trust). The tendency of
the development sector rooted within a needs based paradigm has rather been to focus on short term
projects and impacts which can easily be seen and measured (like the building of a school or the number
of jobs created). Although these impacts are also important, development processes that are needs
based have often encouraged dependency and undermined local initiatives. This maybe why the results
are not always sustainable (jobs get lost, buildings get vandalized etc.).
A process can be a learning rhythm and a consciousness-building opportunity – it does not only have
impacts when a project is implemented, but can touch people’s lives from the very beginning in the way
it is designed and managed. With an ABCD approach especially, the process is key; for a good process
always yields a good outcome. It might take some time before there is evidence of implementation of
ideas, but in the meantime relationships can be deepened and paradigms shifted to tackle poverty of
mind and spirit at the root.
The opposite is also true. If a process is driven from the outside in, it cannot also be community driven
at the same time – at best it can be a good partnership where both partners have a balanced voice. A
process designed by an external ‘expert’ and framed within a needs based paradigm will probably have
the unintended consequences we mentioned in the previous section, even if some ABCD tools are used,
because the very paradigm on which it is based is not ABCD.