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111 is improved quality in direct observation, it is suggested that the steps highlighted in Focus Box 1 below be followed. Focus Box 1: Steps in Using Direct Observations  Step 1: Determine the focus – you may have to narrow down the sample and not whole population.  Step 2: Develop direct observation forms – list items to be observed and provide adequate space to record observations  Step 3: Select the sites – decide where the observations will be carried out and whether it will be based on one or more sites.  Step 4: Decide on the best timing – Wrong timing can distort findings. For instance, if credit institutions are observed during the non-planting season, an inaccurate picture of loan processing may result.  Step 5: Conduct the field observation – Establish rapport with those being studied, allow sufficient time for the exercise and if possible have more than one observer to reduce bias.  Step 6: Complete forms - Take notes as inconspicuously as possible. Recording during observation may be good but may make some people self-conscious or disturb the situation. Adapted from USAID (2011) Stakeholder Analysis Stakeholder analysis is part of the participatory monitoring and evaluation of development projects. Stakeholders can be defined as ‘persons, groups or institutions with interests in a project or policy or who may be directly or indirectly affected by the process or the outcome (WHO, 2005). Stakeholder analysis is therefore the identification of a project's key stakeholders, an assessment of their interests, and the ways in which these interests affect project risk and viability (Macarenhas-Keyes, 2017). In the process of identifying stakeholders, it is crucial to consider the disabled, elderly, women and the poor, all of whom are generally considered as marginalised and vulnerable groups as they may also be affected by the project but may not have a voice to speak out. Unlike other methods of data collection which can be conducted in the middle or end of a project, stakeholder analysis should always be conducted at the start of a project. This is because knowing the actual stakeholders, their interests, understanding the power relationships and their influence in a project helps to determine who should participate, why they should, how and when. Macarenhas-Keyes (2017) suggests that one way in which a stakeholder analysis can be conducted is to: a) Draw up a stakeholder table as shown in Table 1 below: b) Identify and list all potential stakeholders. c) Identify their interests in relation to the problems being addressed by the project and its objectives. d) Briefly assess the likely impact of the project on each of these interests (positive, negative, or unknown).