Security, justice and governance reform is an inherently political process. The contextual sensitivities related to the security and justice sector could enable the success or failure of any programme. These challenges are exacerbated in fragile or conflict-affected environments, where most of the current reform processes are supported by the international community.

Donor programing tools should not only take account of programmatic logic but also the extent of political will to undertake security and justice development. It should not just focus on technical support and institutional capacity building but aim to identify and support political dynamic for change, individual influences and reinforce informal networks and actors. The tension between immediate capacity development and long-term reform must be unpacked and carefully mainstreamed into programming cycles.

Agaist this backdrop, SSG/R donor programming still needs consistency in approaches, robust methodologies and tools for outcome and impact assessment. ISSAT has adapted existing programme cycle guidance for security, justice and governance programming. ISSAT's guidance takes account of good practice and guiding principles for security and justice programme assessment, design, mapping, scoping, monitoring, lessons and evaluation.

ISSAT’s project cycle management methodologies give a systematic approach that can be adapted to the context and objective, but nonetheless provide a structure enabling personnel coming from diverse backgrounds can effectively work together as a team.

As a result, the below guidance should not be taken in a linear form without unpacking the complexity of the environment and choosing the best suited approach.

The five areas where ISSAT has developed guidance so far, are:

• Assessments
• Programme Design
• Evaluation
• Donor Mapping
• Lesson Learning