Baseline surveys are an important part of any M&E process.
This discussion, takes a look at the definition of a baseline study, its
importance, when to conduct one and alternatives when there is no baseline. It
also includes other considerations to make when conducting a baseline study.
What is a baseline study?
A baseline study simply put is a study that is done at the
beginning of a project to establish the current status of a population before a
project is rolled out. The Food and Agricultural Organization defines a
baseline study as:
