Guest blog written by Ferdinand Aimatuk, Tau Hera, Pauna Kule, Rhoda Maiyeh, Obeth Singol, Slyney Tau
Our key learning throughout the 12 weeks of the Problem Driven Iteration and Adaptation (PDIA) program is the systematic process of solving complex problems. It is a new perspective of problems solving which has changed the way most of our team members are looking at problems in their work and private lives. Most of the time, we look at problems and immediately start thinking of suitable solutions, which in most cases leads into solution traps or we come up with narrow framing and ended up not solving the problem at all. This is the sentiment most of the team members shared in-group discussions. PDIA provided a new dimension and perspective into problem solving, focusing more on the problem using models such as “problem deconstruction” and using tools such as “fishbone diagram” and triple ‘A’ analysis to provides detailed insight into the problem itself and drawing out entry points into solving problems.
A key learning is that do not jump into conclusions or solutions based on narrowly framed ideas or emotions. It is important to spend more time breaking down the problem into small pieces and understand their root causes. In that way you will identify entry points to start mobilizing resources and energy to start the solution process.
In a team of six members, we were working on the problem of Youth Unemployment in PNG and its impacts on social structures and economic growth. Unemployment in general is an economic indicator used in measuring economic performance of a country. In no doubt, most of the developing countries have some highest rate of unemployment and PNG is no exception. Our team, the ‘Heregabe Ihanamona’ in local Motu language means ‘for the good of young people’ have a diagnosis into the problem of youth unemployment and came up with some very interesting findings.
The team came up with a final problem statement: ”Increase in Youth Unemployment in Papua New Guinea contributes to deteriorating societies and hinders economic growth.” Four main causes were identified and sub-causes under each causes as detailed below and summarized in the fish bone diagram;
- Decline in Standard of Education
- Poor School Administration and Management
- Poor quality education workers
- Poor school infrastructures
- Very Small Industrial Activities in PNG
- PNG is an import driven economy
- No investment into industrialization or downstream processing of raw materials
- General and technology illiteracy is high which leads to poor innovation.
- Lack of Planning and Investment
- Weak collaboration and implementation of programs by responsible government agencies.
- Youth policies have narrow framing that does not capture plans to create opportunities.
- No avenues to foster soft skills to build self-confidence and motivation.
- Youth unaware of employment opportunities and recruitment conditions
- No student internship programs in education system leads to student lacking basic competency skills.
- Education system designed to create job seekers and not entrepreneurs
- Lack of succession plan in government system resulting with aging public servants occupying roles that throws young graduates on the streets
The findings in the problem deconstruction captured our individual attention and interests that has kept us together and provided the drive and motivation as a team to seek more tips to solve the puzzle. We further looked into the problem and the causes with sub causes and came up with our triple ‘A’ analysis noting the ‘AAA’ being Authority, Acceptance and Ability. We found out that youth unemployment is a problem that affects everyone and key government agencies such as National Youth Development Authority (NYDA) and Department of Labor (DOL) are the government agencies that directly responsible for policy framing and implementation. The two organizations are the authorizers in our case study noting other agencies have similar responsibilities, however, the saddest fact is that the two key organizations have a narrow framing of the situation and have no ability to effectively implement any plans to incorporate other stakeholders in addressing the problem, despite their acceptance of the problems that it matters most to them as the entrusted government body.
During the iteration process, we came to face the reality of the situation. Our request for meetings and interviews were not formally responded to. We also found out from the National Youth Policy that the policy goals are focused on social outcomes. It was narrowly framed to focus on advocacy against drug and alcohol abuse rather than economic sustainability of individual young person. The policy does not capture avenues to advocate on self-sufficiency and self-confidence in building individuals to be productive economically while observing social responsibilities.
The learning we gained added value in the way we approach the situation in our personal lives and the organization we work in. As a team we believe that in order to contribute to reducing unemployment, we need to take the path of “positive deviance” and that is to work with other stake holders that wants to address the situation from a difference perspective which deviate out of the government policy framework. We have already applied the learnings in our conversations with friends, family members and our project team members in our organization we work in.
Through the positive deviance approach, team member Ferdinand Aimatuk had a few conversations with PNG SME No. 1 Limited’s director Dicky Lao and connected his SME project in Tangu Development Association Inc. (TDA) to participate in the programs of creating SMEs in the district. Through the partnership, TDA will act as an agent to implement the training and loan scheme for PNG SME No.1 Ltd. The project is focusing on training and lending out startup capital of minimum PGK500.00 which will assist aspiring entrepreneurs to start their small business. This is an intervention by a private organization as a positive deviance from the narrowly framed PNG government SME policy which parked money in two commercial banks that have very stringent lending policies that hinders many aspiring entrepreneurs to access capital. This approach has gained momentum and two donor agencies already shown interest in supporting it financially. As a team, we will individually connect with organizations like the PNG SME No. 1 Ltd and involve more people from our area into SME space where they can develop their own businesses and create employment instead of looking for employment.
This blog was written by participants who completed a 12-week PDIA for PNG online action-learning program from September – December 2022. 31 participants successfully completed this program.