The purpose of this presentation is to share the ongoing development of an inter-disciplinary framework being constructed by a network of researchers for the analysis of ethnographic and discourse-based data, generated in the context of a two-year study in Argentina, a project called WORK, DEVELOPMENT AND DIVERSITY. RESEARCH ON POLICY AND METHODOLOGY FOR LOCAL DEVELOPMENT (www.trabajoydiversidad.com.ar). The project started from the assumption that participatory oriented strategic planning has been on the agenda for public policy debate for the last fifteen years, to the point of being considered one of those stereotypical “musts” policy makers, government officers and NGOs must address. A considerable amount of state resources have been, and are currently invested in Plans and Programs devoted to locally developing community resources. However, an important question remains un-answered, namely whether participatory strategic planning is, indeed, participatory, and whether social actors called for, and involved in these processes, do think they are being part of real problem solving and decision making. Other related issues need to be answered as well, such as whether local development does support better societal practices and relationships, and whether civil society organizations are participating more in public administration and policy decisions than they were ten years ago. Lastly, an overall question to be addressed is whether Social Plans and Programs are being effective.