Outreach International’s process of Participatory Human Development (PHDP) can be described in nine steps. The basic steps are not undertaken in rigid order (that is, one step can begin without having accomplished the preceding one). Two or more steps can take place simultaneously at any given stage of the process. This method of working through problems may be applied to many situations beyond field development. However, for Outreach International, the Participatory Human Development Process has proven to be the most effective method for engaging people in their own process of empowerment.

Integration - is a continuing process of establishing rapport with and among the members of the community for the purpose of creating mutual respect, trust and open communication. It is achieved by living with the people, visiting in the homes, conversing on a one-to-one basis, and participating in the various aspects of community life.

Understanding where the people are is vital to preparing them to undertake change. The process helps the group to understand the role of the Human Development Specialist or Facilitator and build contacts that might lead to a partnership. The program belongs to the people; the Human Development Specialist, who is indigenous to the area, will be a partner to help facilitate their plan. The process of Integration will often take up to eight months or longer before the people have become open for discussion or have expressed their concerns and willingness to move into the next steps of development.

Social Investigation - is the gathering and analysis of data about the community and its issues. This information serves as the basis for organizing and planning. It may be obtained by conducting surveys, interviewing individuals, discussing in small groups, observing the people, obtaining available information from documents (demographics, etc.), and developing an open flow of communication. Who are the natural leaders? What help might government be induced to give? When Social Investigation is properly performed, it should enable the Human Development Specialist to assist the people with the next step.

Problem Identification and Prioritization - this part of the process must be carried out collectively by the people. Often, what is perceived to be a problem by one person may not be seen as pressing by the community as a whole. Developing the people’s confidence and demonstrating problem-solving skills is important. Once problems are identified, the group then determines which problem to tackle first. The first problem should be one that the group is capable of resolving. It should be within the ability of the persons involved to work out solutions, not be divisive in nature, and one in which the people can be involved to develop their skills of mind and abilities.

Groundworking - is a process of preparing people physically and psychologically to participate in the group activities. It is awareness-raising which develops commitment. Discontent may often be defused prior to group activities by quietly working behind the scenes. The goal of Groundworking is not limited to encouraging participation in organizational activities, but first and foremost it is to enable people to undertake such activities on their own on a continuous basis. The goal is to ensure that a great many people will participate. The Human Development Specialist will observe and give attention to emerging leaders, give emphasis to systems that will develop skills and give the people opportunity to think through their problems and arrive at reasonable solutions.
   
Public Meeting - people come together to analyze and plan for the solution of their problems. It is here where the seed of an organization begins to germinate. Individual and personal perceptions and aspirations become consolidated into collective knowledge and collective goals. The people develop trust, respect, openness and confidence with each other, regardless of their positions in their group and community. Leaders begin to emerge from within the group and take their places.

Role Playing - acting out or simulating all possible scenarios or situations that may occur during the mobilization or action ahead prepares the people to deal more effectively with those responsible for making decisions concerning the people’s problems. By gaining confidence, the people are able to negotiate on a more equal footing.

Mobilization/Action - the implementation by the people of their plan is role played or simulated. It is the face-to-face contact between those affected by a problem and those responsible for making decisions concerning the problem. It can be either internal (requiring local/self help solutions) or external (when outside resources are needed). This step helps the people to realize their poverty or situation of helplessness does not make them less worthy as human beings, thus allowing them to relate with equality, dignity and respect to those who are “privileged or powerful.”

Evaluation - is the assessment of the strengths and weaknesses of the Mobilization/ Action to determine whether or not the goals have been achieved. Learning from each experience will help make the next activity more productive and effective. Group members will ask themselves, “What did we set out to do? What were our strengths? What could we have done better?” Re-planning should follow each evaluation. As the people review these things, a new sense of community power, support and joy of achievement can result.

Reflection - should be conducted immediately following a project or activity before it becomes only a memory. Reflection draws out learning and lessons which determine new values, knowledge and awareness. These help to sustain further action and organizational activities. Positive values are reinforced, while the need to change negative ones is determined. If no lessons are learned from the people’s experiences and actions, they will remain only memories. The people should be reminded of how things were before they mobilized and what they felt like before they made their decisions. Also considered should be the good qualities they found among those that assisted in the solution. The Reflection step may be conducted by the Human Development Specialist, but developing leaders capable of presiding over such a session is desirable.

Outreach International’s Participatory Human Development Process is facilitated by trained field staff members known as Human Development Specialists (HDS) or Facilitators. These individuals are usually indigenous to the country and the culture where they work.