When it comes to enterprise support in the development sector, there appears to be a discrepancy between the frameworks offered by NGOs and how people in the communities want to operate. There is too much obsession with the means of implementation rather than the end goals.

The review of 88 frameworks for doing context analysis, originating from a broad range of sectors including development, military, research, policy and economics, shows that there are four aspects of analytical models that cover the breadth and depth of any type of context analysis.

In the complex contexts of fragile or conflict-affected states, where international interventions can easily influence power relations, good context analysis is crucial. Systematically mapping these contexts allows international actors to work effectively and prevent harmful impacts.

As emerging Southern powers such as Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa (the BRICS) rise up economically, and are joined by others like Turkey, Indonesia, Argentina, Mexico, South Korea, Egypt and Iran, how will existing geo-political and economic relations change?