This research assesses whether and how levels of and changes in PTS can help to understand the conflict context and predict the potential onset of violent conflict in specific areas. It further explores the potential for using an understanding of the PTS-conflict relationship to enhance existing conflict monitoring and analysis tools and mechanisms, including the Joint Analysis of Conflict and Stability (JACS) approach used by HMG of the United Kingdom. 

On the basis of this analysis, the paper proposes a potential framework for assessing and tracking PTS at local level. It does not aim to develop a new tool; rather, it identifies the prospects for including such tracking in existing tools and mechanisms which aim to reduce conflict risk and build stability.