Assessing Perceptions of Basic. Minimum Needs: A Modified Venn Diagram Technique

The paper presents a modified Venn diagram aimed at local communities who can use it to conduct simple basic minimum needs (BMN) assessments. The Venn diagram is used with a range of other PRA techniques. It enables villagers to identify perceived basic minimum needs, and assess their relative importance, as the first stage in priority setting. Symbols are collected or drawn to represent each identified need, with an additional symbol to represent the village. The symbols are placed by participants in relation to the village in order of importance. The further away the symbol is from the village, the less important it is. This diagram then generates discussion. The paper offers some of the authors' experiences and lessons learned through the use of the diagram. One lesson is that communities are not homogenous units, so different groups have different needs.