The coherence and effectiveness of engagement with the world’s ‘fragile and conflict-affected states’—beyond ethical imperatives and geo-strategic considerations—turns on answers to two vexing questions. First, on what defensible basis is any given country, at any given historical moment, deemed to be (or not to be) ‘fragile’? Second, if a defining characteristic of state fragility is…Continue Reading The role of PDIA in fragile states
Helping REAL Capacity Emerge in Rwanda using PDIA
written by Matt Andrews What do you do if your government has been pursuing reforms for years, with apparent success, but your economy is still not growing? What do you do if the constraint seems to be the limited capacity of government organizations? What do you do if this capacity remains stubbornly low even after…Continue Reading Helping REAL Capacity Emerge in Rwanda using PDIA
BSC video 35: Functional indicators as a way to build capacity
Data is an important part of state functionality. If states want to be capable they need to know where people are, how many people there are, etc. in order to deliver basic services. They need to measure functionality and ends rather than forms. In this video, Matt Andrews, uses child registration to illustrate what a…Continue Reading BSC video 35: Functional indicators as a way to build capacity
BSC video 34: Measuring success – means or ends?
Do appearances matter as much as action does? We often forget that governments exist to do and not just to be. We thus focus on the means of being rather than the product of doing. This bias leads to governance indicators and reforms that emphasize perfection of means, often failing to make a connection to…Continue Reading BSC video 34: Measuring success – means or ends?
BSC video 33: Multi-agent leadership in action
Who leads? How do they lead? When do they lead? Why do they lead? Answers to these questions are very important in understanding how change happens. Change is about people and people need to be led. In this video, Matt Andrews, uses the story of Singapore to illustrate how true champions are the ones who…Continue Reading BSC video 33: Multi-agent leadership in action
BSC video 32: Who is the leader?
In a study of successful change, we interviewed 150 people in 12 different places and asked them “who is the leader?” Instead of the listing the 12 champions, they responded with 107 names. In this video, Matt Andrews, highlights that successful change requires someone to authorize the change, motivate, provide money, empower the people, define…Continue Reading BSC video 32: Who is the leader?
BSC video 31: Crawling together in Cambodia
Everyone agrees that building the rule of law is important. But building the capability of a justice system is a long and difficult process, often susceptible to isomorphic mimicry. In this video, Michael Woolcock, uses an example of legal systems in Cambodia to illustrate how the arbitration council had to learn how to negotiate together…Continue Reading BSC video 31: Crawling together in Cambodia
BSC video 30: Learning by crawling
In development, external best practice is almost always used as a solution. In reality, however, finding solutions to tough problems is not so simple. In this video, Matt Andrews, illustrates that if you crawl the design space, you might end up with a hybrid solution that is possible and also works in your context. You…Continue Reading BSC video 30: Learning by crawling
BSC video 29: Iteration is research in action
Iteration does not take a thousand years. You can immediately begin the process of learning through iteration and adaptation, after you define your problem. In this video, Matt Andrews, demonstrates the process of how you learn through iteration to ultimately solve your problem. You can watch the video below or on YouTube. If you are…Continue Reading BSC video 29: Iteration is research in action
Putting indicators to work in local governance reform
written by Michael Woolcock “What gets measured is what gets done.” It’s perhaps the most over-cited cliché in management circles, but on a good day an array of thoughtfully crafted indicators can indeed usefully guide decision-making (whether to raise/lower interest rates), help track progress towards agreed-upon objectives (to improve child nutrition), and serve to hold…Continue Reading Putting indicators to work in local governance reform