Thinking it through: using diagrams in impact assessment

This document presents an overview to different diagram that can be used as visualisation tools for assessment and research. The document introduces webs, networks and flow diagrams, e.g. cognitive maps, indicator trees and livelihood diagrams; trees, analysing coast and benefit/ income and expenditure/empowerment/vision/ problem and effects/problem and solution; road journeys to the future/from the past/empowerment; Venn diagrams for stakeholder/institutional/decision-making analysis; diamonds e.g. poverty, empowerment, household equality; and maps illustrating population distribution, wealth/poverty/landholding, natural and community resources, market, credit/programme participation and vision. Each category of diagrams is explained in one chapter examining their functions, different variants, how to use them, applications in qualitative and quantitative analysis, combination with other types of diagrams, and examples. A special section on using diagrams for impact assessment and a general overview of the utility of diagrams are also included.