Power Analysis

Introduction to Power Analysis Half-day - 3-hour session

In this introductory session, participants will gain a basic understanding of power and the ways in which unequal power relationships are related to the problems faced by their communities. Participants will also learn how to use the Power Analysis tool to develop plans for building a community’s power base and/or to develop an effective strategy for an issue campaign.

Introduction to Power Analysis Full-day - 6-hour session

In this introductory full day session, participants will gain a basic understanding of power and the ways in which unequal power relationships are related to the problems faced by their communities. Participants will also learn how to use the Power Analysis tool to develop plans for building a community's power base and/or to develop an effective strategy for an issue campaign. Participants will apply their knowledge through a facilitated hands-on exercise of creating an initial power analysis to help their work on their own issue.

Developing a Power Analysis - 1-2 month process ending with a full-day strategy session

With the basic understanding gained from the "Introduction to Power Analysis" session, participants will partake in a SCOPE-facilitated process to develop an in-depth understanding of the key players, issues, constituencies, and opposing agendas that affect a community or an issue. The power analysis training and technical assistance program is provided in three parts:

PART 1: Introduction to Power Analysis

In this introductory 3-hour session, participants will gain a basic understanding of power and the ways in which unequal power relationships are related to the problems faced by their communities. Participants will also learn how to use the Power Analysis tool to develop plans for building a community's power base and/or to develop an effective strategy for an issue campaign. Participants will apply their knowledge through a hands-on exercise of creating an initial power analysis to help their work on their own issue.

PART 2: Research to Develop a Power Analysis

At the end of the introductory 3-hour session, participants will identify additional research needed in order to develop a more in-depth understanding of the key players, issues, constituencies, and opposing agendas. SCOPE will conduct surveys and interviews with key members of the coalition and conduct additional research, if needed, to develop a detailed power analysis and a set of strategic questions.

PART 3: Power Analysis Strategy Session

The process of developing a power analysis will culminate in a full-day strategy session to deepen participants' analysis of the power relationships, to discuss the strategic implications, and to refine campaign goals and strategies. Participants will be provided with a PowerPoint presentation of the final power analysis, a briefing book of key players and issues, strategy worksheets, and other tools that will enable the participants to continue using the map to evaluate and develop effective strategies.