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A New Effort to Embed Systems Thinking in USAID

A New Effort to Embed Systems Thinking in USAID. MPEP Seminar November 21, 2013. Origins. Busan. Sustainability Country Systems b ut Inclusive Mutual Accountability. US AID Forward. Sustainability Co-production Adaptation. Sustainability Localized Aid Fiduciary risk

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A New Effort to Embed Systems Thinking in USAID

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  1. A New Effort to Embed Systems Thinking in USAID MPEP Seminar November 21, 2013

  2. Origins Busan • Sustainability • Country Systems • but Inclusive • Mutual Accountability USAID Forward • Sustainability • Co-production • Adaptation • Sustainability • Localized Aid • Fiduciary risk • Program Cycle Systems Thinking

  3. Orientation Not about specific tools

  4. Orientation Source: “Some Streams of Systemic Thought,” International Institute for General Systems Studies h/t: Bob Williams

  5. Orientation Is about thinking systemically. . .

  6. Orientation And being systemic. . . • Be reflective • Trust in self-organization • Assume evolution • Act in a responsible manner • Be part of the world • Act circular Source: Williams & Hummelbrunner, Systems Concepts in Action: A Practitioner’s Toolkit, Stanford U Press, 2009

  7. Areas of Attention Four areas that need early attention: • Identifying and assessing local systems • Designing multi-faceted projects that address identified weaknesses in those systems • Deepening and consolidating risk considerations • Developing monitoring and evaluation tools that can accurately chart progress in strengthening local systems and the sustainability of their results.

  8. 1. Understand Local Systems Local Systems: • All actors engaged in producing a development outcome • Understood in terms of: • Resources • Roles • Relationships • Rules • Results Principles • Recognize there is always a system • Engage local systems everywhere • Tap into local knowledge • Map local systems

  9. The 5Rs Environment Feedback Resources Roles Results Rules Relationships

  10. 2. Design + • Design • Match a project design to a local system • Utilize the full range funding/ implementation modes, including localized aid • But design design . . . • As part of an engagement with the local system that starts before and continues after Principles • Design holistically • Engage local systems continually • Ensure accountability • Embrace facilitation • Promote flexibility • Capitalize on our convening authority

  11. 3. Assess risk comprehensively • All development activities face risks • Consider the range of risks • Relate risks to rewards • Improve our calculation of risks/rewards • Balance risk mitigation with risk 4 Types of Risk • Contextual • Programmatic • Reputational • Fiduciary

  12. 4. Monitor and Evaluatefor Sustainability • Develop indicators • Organizational strengthening • System strengthening • Evaluate lasting effects • Ex-post evaluations

  13. The Challenge How do we make the most of this opportunity?

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