The facility-based assessment (FBA) method is a co-ordinated set of data collection activities, designed to determine the extent to which children are properly diagnosed and effectively treated at health facilities. Eleven African countries have conducted facility-based assessments since 1986, with support from the African Child Survival Initiative-Combatting Childhood Communicable Diseases project. Components of the FBA include observations of health worker performance; exit interviews with caretakers; interviews with health service personnel; reviews of clinic records; and inventories of available equipment and supplies. Data resulting from applications of the method can be used to identify training needs among health personnel, and logistic problems that limit the quality of service delivery. Repeated surveys can be used to assess the impact of training and other interventions designed to improve service quality.