Box 1: Guidance on using conflict analysis tools (Consortium of Humanitarian Agencies 2004)
• It is essential to use tools that match the skills of the users.
• The context in which conflict analysis is used must be considered. For example, a verbal narrative method might be more appropriate than a written method.
• The process of conflict analysis could hurt or offend certain parties, so it is important to take a cautious and open approach when conducting the analysis.
• It is important to ensure that data collected on the conflict are unbiased and as complete as possible, so that a full analysis can be made.
• Emotions play a significant role in conflict situations, so it is important to acknowledge them and bring them into the process of analysis, to ensure that both rational and emotional elements are analysed.
• The analysts must maintain impartiality. This may be difficult if they are also involved in the conflict.