Scenario Planning with African Pastoralists: A "How To" Guide

Published by International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED), this booklet focuses on the mechanics of scenario planning with nomadic pastoralists. It was published to equip community development workers with the practical knowledge required to successfully use the scenario planning methodology. According to the guide, scenario planning, using a ‘drivers of change,’ approach, is a tool to facilitate strategic thinking and policy decisions. Until recently, it has most commonly been associated with the corporate world, or with governments, or the military. However, scenario planning can be employed equally well to help vulnerable or marginalised communities - such as pastoralists - influence policy decisions that affect their lives. As pastoralist's oral traditions of reflection go back 50 or 100 years, this lends itself perfectly to the analytical concept of "drivers of change."

The booklet is designed to be used as a stand alone guide or in conjunction with "Planning with Uncertainty: Using Scenario Planning with African Pastoralists." The first section of the book provides background information, such as what scenario planning is and why to use it, as well as tips from the field. The second section provides a step-by-step how to guide for field workers using scenario planning to elicit pastoralists’ opinions about national policies that impact on their lives and livelihoods – such as education.