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The ziel orientierte projekt planung (ZOPP) procedure
André Oelofse,
National Research Programme for Nutritional Intervention, Tygerberg, W Cape
Werner Schultink, PhD
Siti Muslimuslimatun, MSc
GTZ SEAMEO TROPMED, Jakarta, Indonesia

S A J Clin Nutr 2000 February Vol. 13 No 1. Supplement

The ZOPP methodology1 was developed and introduced by the German government, more specifically by the German Ministry of Science (GTZ). The acronym means Objective Orientated Project Planning (Ziel Orientierte Projekt Planung). It is most commonly used in planning all phases of an intervention project.

The product of the ZOPPis a logical project framework consisting of a planning matrix which depicts the basic structure of the project. Ideally, a group of participants representing a variety of disciplines related to the planned intervention are brought together for a 2 - 3 day workshop. Participants form groups in which specific intervention projects are discussed. An experienced facilitator leads the group work and discussions. The procedure consists of two main aspects:1

• An analyses phase
• A project planning matrix.

Within each of these there are three subcategories:

Analyses

• Problem tree
• Objective tree
• Alternative tree.

Project planning matrix

• Description of overall goal, project purpose, results and main activities
• Indicators and their means of verification of the overall goal, project purpose, and results
• Assumptions and their indicators.

Identification of a core problem
The first step of the group will be to identify a core problem. Thereafter a cause-effect relationship can be constructed starting from the core problem. In practice, the core problem is written on a card and pinned to the top of a pin board by the facilitator. In a similar way, the direct and indirect causes of the core problem are written down on cards. These are collected by the facilitator, read out loud and discussed before being pinned to the board. Only relevant cards are pinned to the board. After sufficient contributions have been made cards are ordered according to their importance and relevance to the core problem. These are connected by lines to the core problem. The cards should be numbered in a logical manner so as to know exactly where they fit into the diagram. The problem tree will then be preserved for the editor.

The objective tree
The objective tree is constructed in a similar manner. Possible solutions to the core problem are identified and formulated positively by the participants. Cards are again used in a similar manner as during the construction of the problem tree and pinned to a board. The objective tree is also preserved for the editor.

The alternative tree
During the alternative analyses the objective tree is discussed again considering its feasibility, and if necessary an alternative tree is constructed. The second phase of setting up a project planning matrix follows. The matrix is set up in 4 rows and 4 columns. The first column contains the following:

• Overall goal
• Purpose / outcome of the project
• Results / outputs
• Activities.

All activities which lead to results will be listed and all results necessary for the achievement of the project purpose or outcome must be noted.

Assumptions include external influences which increase the risk of problems during the implementation of the project. These influences are normally not under the control of the researcher. Components of the fourth column contain assumptions for sustainability of the overall goal, achievement of the overall goal and project purpose and obtaining of the results. Assumptions should be monitored so as to adapt the design of the project.

In the second column indicators are identified for measuring the project goal, purpose, results and activities. In column 3 the means of verification of each indicator is specified.

The final step of the ZOPPprocedure is to draw up an operational plan, including a time frame for the implementation of activities and dates when expected outputs and outcomes will be reached.

The ZOPP procedure as applied at the urban nutrition action workshop (UNAW), Durban, March 1999

Analyses
After a plenary session where speakers from different research fields gave an overview of nutritional issues in the urban setting 10 participants commenced with the ZOPPprocedure. They were guided by facilitators. After a few suggestions the group decided that the ‘High prevalence of maternal malnutrition in urban areas’ should be the core problem. Some participants active in this field elaborated on the extent of the problem in South Africa Participants from neighbouring countries confirmed that this was a very relevant and serious problem. Participants then suggested major causes leading to the core problem (Fig. 1). Of these, five were selected as the most relevant, namely alcohol abuse, inadequate food intake, frequent illness, the role of gender on reproductive health and poor child spacing. Underlying these five major suggested causes of maternal malnutrition were a whole host of secondary causes. It was clear that poverty and food insecurity played an underlying role in many aspects of inadequate food intake (Fig. 2). Although it was realised that poverty could not be eradicated over a short period of time, the group emphasised the importance of addressing the core problem irrespective of concurrent poverty. The details of the causes at tertiary level are self explanatory and can be seen in Fig. 2. The consequences of a high prevalence of maternal malnutrition were subsequently worked out by the group. The end result of a reduced developmental potential and a high increase in susceptibility to chronic diseases of lifestyle are serious and demand action on the core problem level.

Project planning matrix
After completion of the analyses phase of the core problem, a project planning matrix was developed by the group (Table I). It was decided that the main outcome of the project should be to reduce the prevalence of maternal malnutrition. This would hopefully give rise to a reduction in infant mortality and low birth weight, which was set as the ultimate goal of the project. To achieve the purpose of the project it was agreed that an improved food intake among women and a reduced incidence of infectious disease were paramount. The group identified nutrition education and food fortification as the two main activities to achieve the results set out. The next step was to identify indicators to achieve what was set out in the goals and objective section of the matrix. Thereafter it was necessary to identify opposite methodology to measure the indicators. The pros and cons of a host of indicators were discussed. Only those perceived as very relevant and practical were included. Cost was also discussed and indeed played a role in the final selection of indicators. Time constraints prevented the group from setting up a timetable for such a project.

Table I. Project planning matrix

Conclusions
The workshop was most successful. All participants were enthusiastic and optimistic about their own research questions and how they could apply the ZOPPprocedure to their work. The ZOPP’s ability to create a cohesive group from different disciplines is a unique feature and ensures a thorough discussion on research topics. It assists in preventing unnecessary mistakes after the project has already started. Applied within a community setting it creates a wonderful opportunity to get different groups in a community working together on a common problem

Participants: C Witton (SASA, Durban), S Kassier (Dietician Natal Technikon, Durban), F Kona (ROCHE Pharmaceuticals), J Jagwar (FOODS Botswana), M Grindlay (UNIFOODS, Durban), G Shapiro (Dietician, Johannesburg), N Bradley (Nestlé, Durban), P Love (Dietician, Durban), Professor D Isak (Department of Human Nutrition, University of Ibadan, Nigeria), X Mbhenyane (Department of Nutrition, University of the North).

References

1. Gross R. Guidelines for an Urban Nutrition Action Workshop. Document distributed to all subscribers to South East Asian Journal of Tropical Medicine and Public Health.