Asset-based Assessment
Asset-based Assessment
Asset-based assessment is a type of evaluation that prioritizes the identification and use of the strengths, resources, and capabilities of individuals or communities, instead of just looking at the problems or needs. This method is significant as it is a way of promoting the empowerment of people, the development of positivity, and the sustainable growth through the building process on the assets that are already there.
What are the key principles of asset-based assessment?
The major tenets of asset-based assessment are the concentration on available strengths as opposed to lacking ones, the involvement of stakeholders in the assessment process, and the prioritizing of public participation. For instance, rather than just showing that there is a central issue-the unemployment rate, an asset-based approach would highlight existing human capital, raw materials, and networks to be used for establishing job opportunities.
How does asset-based assessment differ from traditional assessment methods?
Asset-based assessment is unlike the traditional methods as it concentrates on the strengths and resources rather than the problems and deficits. Traditional assessments often emphasize the elements that are missing, while asset-based assessments attempt to reveal the current competencies and potential possibilities. For instance, not just looking for the shortage of medical facilities in a locality, a community-based method would consider the volunteer health workers of the community and the active health initiatives that can be augmented.
Can you provide an example of asset-based assessment in practice?
An illustration of the asset-based assessment practice is an initiative to develop the community where the inhabitants are interrogated not only about their necessities but also about their capacities, talents, and resources. For example, this can result in a situation where a group of people who have agricultural knowledge starts to run the community garden, in this way they will use their existing competency to increase food security in the local area instead of completely depending on outside help.
What are the benefits of using asset-based assessment?
The main advantages of the asset-based assessment method include the increase of the sense of ownership by the community members, the improvement of cooperation, and the promotion of the long-term solutions. When communities acknowledge and use their local assets, they usually feel more activated and entrusted to their mission of changing the situation, which, in turn, gives rise to the result that is enduring and more efficient. For instance, a neighborhood that enjoys the benefit of identifying and organizing its own resources is the one that can lead specific initiatives that fit only its context the best.