Results-Based Management
At Agriteam, we undertake project activities as a means to an end—results—and measure the success of our work on this basis. We do not consider project activities and inputs as sufficient in and of themselves—they have to produce developmental outcomes that respond to the stated needs of our clients and partners. In short, we practice results-based management (RBM).
We apply RBM through collaboration with our partners at the inception of every project. Our partners identify the results they want to achieve, reach consensus on the methodology for achieving them and together, we determine the roles and responsibilities each stakeholder needs to fulfill to reach goals and measure success.
With desired results articulated and shared, we adjust activities and inputs so that developmental change can progress in a timely fashion. Our partners equate RBM with a progressive management approach and not simply as a donor requirement, and appreciate the shift from traditional planning and management models that focus on inputs and activities.
In our Basic Education in Western China Project, an early project activity conducted in a hands-on, participatory manner included:
- basic RBM training
- developing indicator measurement tools
- gathering baseline data in the six project counties
- setting targets
- creating RBM reporting formats based on completed work
Throughout the project, we recommended appropriate changes to work plans based on progress toward desired results, and presented project-wide “lessons learned” in national fora and project reports.
Agriteam has managed more than 50 bilateral projects using RBM. We have also developed RBM tools, operation manuals, evaluation formats, training materials and workshops for our own international partners as well as private and public sector organizations including ministries, NGOs, universities and Canadian corporations doing international contracts.
We have undertaken numerous small consultancies involving capacity development for clients in RBM. For example, we designed and delivered an RBM capacity development program and facilitated the development of the phase 4 design of a multi-donor proposal to assist Highly Indebted Poor Countries (HIPCs) in managing their debts and meeting the debt relief criteria of the World Bank and Paris Club. We worked in close cooperation with the British NGO, Debt Relief International and over 40 HIPCs.