In view of the persistent problem of communal violence in many developing countries, aid agencies are likely to use two different approaches in fostering social/communal harmony among groups with differing identities. One is to screen project proposals using an impact assessment tool. The other is to add a communal tension/harmony dimension to a commonly used project development methodology known as participatory rural appraisal. This article argues that using a screen for project selection is less desirable than instituting a communal tension/harmony dimension to a rigorous process of program design, which is more consistent with sound development practice.