Analysis of resilience measurement frameworks and approaches

This briefing report aims to stimulate early thinking around the landscape of resilience measurement and monitoring and evaluation (M&E). The document is not a technical discussion of measurement principles but rather an overview of commonly used approaches in the field. It was elaborated in collaboration with members of the Resilience Measurement, Evidence and Learning Community of Practice (CoP) who have provided invaluable contributions and feedback that reflect their knowledge of resilience measurement.

The review highlights the extent to which most resilience frameworks currently in use have been developed based on prior work on food systems, development, and disaster in rural contexts. Reflecting this common context, they emphasize capacities at the household and community levels along with the social and natural capitals that rural households depend on for livelihoods and wellbeing. This emphasis is quite different from the limited number of frameworks that have been developed in urban areas. 

In contrast to the rural frameworks, the urban frameworks place much greater emphasis on large-scale organizations, infrastructure systems, and institutional/legal structures. In addition, the urban frameworks place greater emphasis on qualities such as the flexibility and safe-failure characteristics of systems as opposed to simply the presence or absence of different social, physical, and other forms of capital.

Overall, as a result, the review suggests that current frameworks reflect a partial and relatively fragmented field. Strengthening the field would require much greater substantive engagement with researchers and organizations in other disciplines.