The Capacity Development Assessment Tool's (CDAT's) purpose is to support the design and evaluation of capacity development activities in the field of biodiversity-related decision-making. The tool results in numerical scores for the current capacity to achieve a goal or task, and scores for the feasibility of improving this capacity. This information helps decision-making on what capacity development is needed, as well as providing a baseline for the evaluation of capacity development activities. The CDAT gives a comprehensive approach to identifying capacity needs, with assessment of the competencies, resources and enabling environment needed for a goal. There are versions of the tool for the scales of an individual, organisation and network. The tool is also adaptable to the user’s circumstances, so that only relevant elements of capacity are assessed.

These guidelines consist of four parts.  The first section presents the benefits of a capacity development needs assessment as part of project design, and describes the uses of the CDAT.  The second section explains the concepts of capacity and capacity development, and gives a framework of capacity elements that the tool is designed to assess. The third section provides detailed guidelines for conducting an assessment using the CDAT, and some considerations on its use. The fourth section (appendices) presents a framework for the components of decision making, and detailed definitions and guidelines for each scale of capacity needs assessment. It is recommended that users familiarise themselves with these guidelines prior to undertaking an assessment, in order to understand the concepts of capacity it uses and how to apply the tool.