The fate of excreta produced by populations across the globe is often poorly understood. SFDs show how it is or is not managed as it moves from defecation to disposal or end-use. The SFD report presents the service delivery context of the city or town and the data sources used for the assessment.

Around 50 SFD reports are currently available. As sanitation practitioners and city officials recognize how effective SFDs are in engaging and stimulating dialogue on excreta management to achieve better sanitation, the number of SFDs being prepared all over the world is increasing.

The SFD Manual describes the process followed within the SFD Promotion Initiative for the production of SFD graphics and reports. It includes guidance on data collection and analysis on how to use the SFD Graphic Generator and the definitions of terms and variables.