OVERCOMING BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING NEW IDEAS: Lessons Learned from WASH, Health, and Education Innovators Across East Africa and India Results for Development Institute Washington, D.C. May 12, 2016
Erin Swearing
The Monday Morning Problem • the challenge of implementing new ideas into a program or organization after attending a workshop or training session, is a common challenge for in-country program managers across sectors.
Š Photo by Allan Rotgers
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What We Did: Methodology Results for Development Institute, with funding from the Rockefeller Foundation, interviewed 39 program managers from R4D’s WASH, health and education initiatives. WATER, SANITATION, & HYGIENE
A group of 120 innovative incountry implementers in India and East Africa of water, sanitation and hygiene programs
HEALTH
A global network of 1,478 programs focused on primary care, maternal child health, and social franchising
EDUCATION
A global network of 672 programs focused on early childhood development, girl’s education, and low-cost private schools
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What We Learned: Outcomes Lessons learned from the conversations were captured across four key categories: BARRIERS TO IMPLEMENTING NEW IDEAS HOW FUNDERS CAN CREATE AN ENABLING ENVIRONMENT FOR LEARNING & ADAPTATION
NECESSARY INGREDIENTS FOR LEARNING & ADAPTATION CHARACTERISTICS OF LEARNING EVENTS THAT BETTER SUPPORT THE LEARNING PROCESS
These lessons can help program managers, funders, and learning facilitators better support the knowledge acquisition process.
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What can we do differently? FUNDERS
PRACTITIONERS •
Seek input and new ideas from lower level staff
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Ensure buy-in from staff at all levels
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Allocate appropriate resources to test and implement new ideas & give lower-level staff time to support the effort Invest in mentorship from both peers and experts
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LEARNING FACILITATORS
Create reporting • requirements that allow programs to be flexible and agile • Support programs in course correcting and trying new approaches throughout implementation; avoid punishing deviation from • original work plan. Provide funding that gives programs the time, human, • and financial resources to learn and adapt
Design learning events that allow participants to learn by doing Survey participants before the workshop to understand problems they are currently facing, and design content to address challenges Distribute with “soft” versions of tools that they can immediately used or customized Set up reach-back mechanisms for participants to consult with experts and stay in touch with peers
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Thank you! To learn more about The WASH Impact Network, visit washinnovations.R4D.org
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