4. Viability Appraisal

Each project is different and thus the relevance of these questions will vary from project to project. There may well also be other questions specific to each project.

1. General Questions

• Does the project fall within officially recognised guidelines and priorities for the area?
• Is the partner group known to you? If not, have you allowed sufficient time to get to know the group, and for a relationship of trust and confidence to be developed?

2. Objectives

• Are the short-term aims and objectives compatible with the medium and long term objectives?
• Are they clear? Are they reasonable and practical?

3. Design

• Is the project feasible?
• Does the design take into account local traditions and customs?
• Is the project over-ambitious? Are resources adequate to requirements?
• Is the timing realistic? Can it be completed during your visit? If not, how is it to be started/ completed?

4. Financial involvement 

• Do all the people aided by the project have a stake in it?
• Are they contributing in some way (e.g. cash, in kind or in labour)?
• Is the project simply a source of income or advancement for the development workers or professionals involved?
• Could those involved contribute more?

5. Education

• Does the programme contain a training element (e.g. group organisations & management, programme management, solutions)?

6. Project Effects

• Will the project improve the lives of those in the community?
• Will they have more cash, safer water, better health, food etc.?
• Do the people understand the consequences of the project?

7. Staffing of Project Team and/or Partner Groups

• Are they reliable, capable, realistic, and motivated?
• Do they have sufficient experience for the task?
• Do they need more training?
• Are the Leaders strong? Do they listen, understand and respond to the views of others, particularly those of the host community?
• Does the team work well together?
• Are they open to new ideas?

8. Participation

• How was the project specification decided and who was involved in preparation?
• Was the host community able to influence the decision?
• Have the views of the host community been listened to?

9. Partner Organisations

• What is the nature of the Organisation?
• Does it have legal status?
• Does it have rules for meetings, leadership, accounts etc?
• Is it democratic? Can the membership overturn the views of the Trustee Board?
• What happens when things go wrong?
• Is there an education programme?
• Are there safeguards to ensure an elite does not take over?
• Are local Scouts involved and in support of this Organisation and its work?

10. Monitoring

• Is there a system of evaluation?
• How is this done and who takes part?
• Is notice taken of the evaluation process?
• Does the project allow for the adoption of new ideas?
• Are outside agencies and bodies invited to participate?

11. Costs

• Is the project the most cost-effective way to achieve the project objectives?
• Is there provision to meet partner organisations' expenses?
• Are material and equipment costs appropriate for local conditions?
• What previous aid has been received? What are the results of that aid?

12. Replicability

• If successful, could the project be repeated elsewhere?
• What is the multiplier effect?
• Could the programme be expanded into neighbouring areas?

13. Continuity

• What happens when the aid stops? Will they be able to continue?
• What are the future development plans?
• Will the government and local officials support the programme?
• Will it meet the needs of future generations (e.g. are skills being passed on)?