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Diagramming for development 1: bounding realities
Diagramming for development 1: bounding realities

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Diagramming for development 1 - Bounding realities

Introduction

This unit introduces you to rich pictures, spray diagrams and systems mapping, taking you step by step through the processes of developing visual representations which have proven practical value amongst international development practitioners. These particular diagramming techniques are helpful in making some initial sense of complex realities.

The unit uses the Working for Water Programme (WWP) case study, introduced as a programme that actively addresses the impoverishment of black South Africans. 14 million South Africans currently have no or inadequate water supplies.

In 1997, unemployment stood at 37%, and 50% of the population was classified as 'poor'. With 240 projects since its inception, the WWP has generated 42,000 new jobs at the same time as creating environmental awareness and systems of social welfare benefits and clearing 450,000 hectares of the invasive plants.

The diagramming techniques develop skills in understanding complex situations of intervention and revealing significant challenges as well as opportunities of development intervention.

This OpenLearn course is an adapted extract from the Open University course TU872 Institutional development: Conflicts, values and meanings [Tip: hold Ctrl and click a link to open it in a new tab. (Hide tip)] .