1. Complex vs simple
IT DEPENDS

2. Complex vs simple
• What resources do I have, does time frame allow complexity
• Anticipatory monitoring, prioritize data needs
• Combine biophysical and socioeconomic problems
• How to do that
• How much data is enough to be simple enough to answer the
question
• You start quick and dirty and then additional questions need more
complex tools
• How many farmers are on the tradeoff line, many farmers are not
even on the line and need to change many things to get there.
• Use simple 1st steps, based on literature and previous experience
then go more complex.
• Key steps: Resources, the nature of the site, what question are you
trying to address

3. Complex vs simple
Scale
• How do you translate analysis and results from small scale to
larger scale (CRPs cover very large areas)
• Data complexity needs at different scale levels
• You can address many issues (small scale) with participatory
approaches faster
• If you do it quick and dirty you are talking of the NOW of the
farmer but if you want to look into the future you need more
complex systems
• Temporal and spatial scales have to be addressed
• Hierarchies of decision making along the value chain

4. Blue sky thinking/wishlist
• Generic flexible Online toolbox to do tradeoff analysis
• Website where you can go and find
models, lit, requirements, experts, etc
• Off farm income = adaptive capacity
• Integrate Gender aspects
• Investigate basics of household decision making
• Capacity mapping within CRPS and partners = communities of
practice (something like CGIAR-CSI)