Steps for planning a health promotion project

In this section, there is a more detailed exploration of the various steps in developing a plan and preparing for a health promotion project.

Planning requires a critical analysis of the problem to be addressed. Problem analysis is important for developing a goal and objectives for the project that are realistic and achievable. Once the goal and objectives are set, strategies for achieving them can be determined. Resources needed in the project, and ways to obtain them, are then identified. The planning process also includes deciding how the project will be managed, sustained and evaluated.

Major steps in planning, sustaining and evaluating a health promotion project

1. Identify the issues or health problems in the community
2. Prioritise the issues or health problems to identify the one that the project will address
3. Identify risk factors and set the goal for the project
4. Determine contributing factors and state objectives for the project
5. Determine what the strategies will be
6. Develop the action plan for the project. DO IT!
7. Sustain the project or keep the project (or some parts of it) going
8. Evaluate the project

Remember to consider Steps 7 and 8 from the very beginning of the planning process

All of these steps are explored in more detail in the following pages. This section is based particularly on Evaluating Health Promotion: A Health Worker's Guide by Hawe, Degeling and Hall (1990).