RIAM Method - How to do Scoping ?

Rapid Impact Assessment Method (RIAM) is a method that requires disciplines of scoping and analysing each issue one at a time. It shares similar principle of surveying science of whole to part. In surveying, we look at the overall picture, land area and cover from the larger to the in-situ area. We first recky (pre-survey) the area, get the starting survey point from another approved lot and we bring it to the area we want to study.

Whole-To-Part Principle - The Scoping

In RIAM, we begin with the overall picture and asking the overall strategic questions. Questions that could be even external factors to the issue of concern. In RIAM, this is the scoping process, the first of the assessment and this is an important stage. Scope wrongly, you will get incorrect assessment. Scope too broadly, you get everything under the sun as an issue of concern which could be too tedious to run through all in a matrix. Scope too narrowly, there will be issues omitted and overlooked, and it does not reflect the true picture of the situation.

During scoping process, ask if there is possibility of options or What-If scenarios to be considered, External factors that could are affecting the issue but cannot be taken into the assessment as the core issues. Be it development or policy options, there are :-

before and after scenarios, 

choices of materials and methods (options)  

possible external factors

What are the issues affecting the topic under assessment ? Under each of the category, list down components that are affecting the overall assessment.

PC

• Will this policy or development option affect any item in the physical and chemical spheres of the earth ? 
• Water quality, Permanent Constructions, Depletion of forest, Land Clearance, 
• Is there a possibility of  using green technology ?

BE

• What are the biological elements that are affected ?
• Any Birds, animals, tree species affected ?
• Rivers and sea pollution
• 
  

EO

• Will there be expenditure incurred ?
• Will the income be affected in the future ?
• Will the lifestyle change ?
• Will there be change in job opportunities ?

SC

• Will there be change in social status of the people ?
• Will there be migration and integration of people ?
• Will there be cultural changes ?

For each of these questions, list down the components that will be impacted by the changes due to topic in consideration. Take the case of a land development happening and the components scoped are likely to cover :-

PC

• Change in water quality during development
• Change in forest area due to land 

BE

• Change in animal species moving out
• Change in migratory birds coming in
• Change in biodiversity 
• 
  

EO

• Cost of dvelopment
• Cost of maintenance
• Change in income due to development
• Change in job opportunities 
• Change in lifestyle

SC

• Change in social status of the people
• Change in migration and integration of people
• Change in cultural values

Sometimes, there is External Factors that cannot be in the component listing but definitely need to be considered such as Impact of economic recession on the budget allocation.

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