RAPID Outcome Mapping Approach Enrique Mendizabal

The six lessons Policy processes and social realities are complex Research plays a minor role in policy and practice But it is possible for research to play a role Must understand landscape Policy and social entrepreneurs need a set of skills Intent is necessary!

The six steps

An analytical framework The political context – political and economic structures and processes, culture, institutional pressures, incremental vs radical change etc. The evidence – credibility, the degree it challenges received wisdom, research approaches and methodology, simplicity of the message, how it is packaged etc External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies etc The links between policy and research communities – networks, relationships, power, competing discourses, trust, knowledge etc.

A practical framework External Influences political context evidence links Politics and Policymaking Media, Advocacy, Networking Research, learning & thinking Scientific information exchange & validation Policy analysis, & research Campaigning, Lobbying

The six lessons Policy processes and social realities are complex Research plays a minor role in policy and practice But it is possible for research to play a role Must understand landscape Policy and social entrepreneurs need a set of skills Intent is necessary!

Identify the problem Commission research Analyse the results Choose the best option Establish the policy Evaluation Implement the policy Policy makers do not...

Monitoring and Evaluation Agenda Setting Decision Making Policy Implementation Policy Formulation Policy processes are more like... Civil Society Donors Cabinet Parliament Ministries Private Sector

The six lessons Policy processes and social realities are complex Research plays a minor role in policy and practice But it is possible for research to play a role Must understand landscape Policy and social entrepreneurs need a set of skills Intent is necessary!

Evidence Experience & Expertise Judgement Resources Values and Policy Context Habits & Tradition Lobbyists & Pressure Groups Pragmatics & Contingencies There are many factors Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005

Policy makers are… Speed Superficiality Spin Secrecy Scientific Ignorance Vincent Cable – Lib. Democrat MP & Shadow Minister of Finance More at: …practically incapable of using research-based evidence because of the 5 Ss…

Different notions of evidence Colloquial (Contextual) Anything that seems reasonable Policy relevant Timely Clear Message Policy Makers’ Evidence Source: Phil Davies Impact to Insight Meeting, ODI, 2005 ‘Scientific’ (Context free) Proven empirically Theoretically driven As long as it takes Caveats and qualifications Researchers’ Evidence

The six lessons Policy processes and social realities are complex Research plays a minor role in policy and practice But it is possible for research to play a role Must understand landscape Policy and social entrepreneurs need a set of skills Intent is necessary!

Health Care in Tanzania “The results of household disease surveys informed processes of health service reform which contributed to a 43 and 46 per cent reduction in infant mortality between 2000 and 2003 in two districts in rural Tanzania.” TEHIP Project, Tanzania:

The six lessons Policy processes and social realities are complex Research plays a minor role in policy and practice But it is possible for research to play a role Must understand landscape Policy and social entrepreneurs need a set of skills Intent is necessary!

An analytical framework The political context – political and economic structures and processes, culture, institutional pressures, incremental vs radical change etc. The evidence – credibility, the degree it challenges received wisdom, research approaches and methodology, simplicity of the message, how it is packaged etc External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies etc The links between policy and research communities – networks, relationships, power, competing discourses, trust, knowledge etc.

A practical framework External Influences political context evidence links Politics and Policymaking Media, Advocacy, Networking Research, learning & thinking Scientific information exchange & validation Policy analysis, & research Campaigning, Lobbying

What political and social entrepreneurs need to know The external environment: Who are the key actors? What is their agenda? How do they influence the political context? The political context: Is there political interest in change? Is there room for manoeuvre? How do they perceive the problem? The evidence: Is it there? Is it relevant? Is it practically useful? Are the concepts familiar or new? Does it need re-packaging? Links: Who are the key individuals? Are there existing networks to use? How best to transfer the information? The media? Campaigns?

What you need to do What need to knowWhat need to doHow to do it Political Context: Evidence Links Who are the policymakers? Is there demand for ideas? What is the policy process? What is the current theory? What are the narratives? How divergent is it? Who are the stakeholders? What networks exist? Who are the connectors, mavens and salesmen? Get to know the policymakers. Identify friends and foes. Prepare for policy opportunities. Look out for policy windows. Work with them – seek commissions Strategic opportunism – prepare for known events + resources for others Establish credibility Provide practical solutions Establish legitimacy. Present clear options Use familiar narratives. Build a reputation Action-research Pilot projects to generate legitimacy Good communication Get to know the others Work through existing networks. Build coalitions. Build new policy networks. Build partnerships. Identify key networkers, mavens and salesmen. Use informal contacts

Applying the framework: ODI and the MDGs External Influences political context evidence links Politics and Policymaking Media, Advocacy, Networking Research, learning & thinking Political context: 2008 is just after mid-way point, so opportunity to analyse and refocus through UN-sponsored Call-to-Action UK government, among other national governments and international actors, has strong political will towards progressing on MDGs One reason for this political will is that many of the MDGs are off-track to meet targets UN High-level event in September 2008 Evidence: Links: Side events at UN High-level Event on the MDGs in New York in September Co-hosted with: Bangladesh MoEd, UNIFEM, Danish MoFA, UN, CPRC, Government of South Sudan, Global Call to Action Against Poverty, Millennium Campaign Research based on collaboration with the CPRC (a consortium), work with the GAVI Alliance and Plan International

The six lessons Policy processes and social realities are complex Research plays a minor role in policy and practice But it is possible for research to play a role Must understand landscape Policy and social entrepreneurs need a set of skills Intent is necessary!

Policy and social entrepreneurs Storytellers Engineers Networkers Fixers

The six lessons Policy processes and social realities are complex Research plays a minor role in policy and practice But it is possible for research to play a role Must understand landscape Policy and social entrepreneurs need a set of skills Intent is necessary

Conclusions focus more on policy than research establish different incentives / culture establish different systems spend more on communications engage with different actors produce different products be ready to seize unexpected policy opportunities and move very fast Hire the right people or work with others (e.g journalists) To improve impact you may need to:

The six steps

An analytical framework The political context – political and economic structures and processes, culture, institutional pressures, incremental vs radical change etc. The evidence – credibility, the degree it challenges received wisdom, research approaches and methodology, simplicity of the message, how it is packaged etc External Influences Socio-economic and cultural influences, donor policies etc The links between policy and research communities – networks, relationships, power, competing discourses, trust, knowledge etc. Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

The importance of the policy cycle Monitoring and Evaluation Agenda Setting Decision Making Policy Implementation Policy Formulation Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

The importance of the policy cycle Policy-makers use scientific information at various stages of the policy cycle Jones, N. et al (2008) Political science? Strengthening science–policy dialogue in developing countries. ODI Working Paper 295.Political science? Strengthening science–policy dialogue in developing Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

DFID Social Development Advisor Ethiopia Employers Association Head of PRSP Technical Committee in Min. of Finance & Econ. Head of Social & Labour Affairs, Congressional Standing Committee UNICEF Economic Policy Advisor Children & Youth Bureau Head, Ministry of Children & Youth Children's Rights Club Representative Save the Children UK, Economic & Poverty Policy Officer Policy Division Head, Ministry of Education Kebele Women's Association Federation Officer Amhara School PTA Representative Amhara Regional State Budget Office Head Key Type of flow ExpertiseFundingInformationLobbyingRegulationsScrutiny Social network analysis / influence mapping

The AIIM tool Develop enthusiasm to address topic Learn in partnership Develop awareness and enthusiasm Challenge existing beliefs High General level of alignment Low High Interest in specific topic 1.Map actors on the matrix 2.Identify which are the most influential 3.Who do you work with directly? Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

AIIM: some examples Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

Another dimension (influence and interest): Child labour in Ethiopia Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

Types of policy objectives Discursive changes Procedural changes Content changes Attitudinal changes Behavioural changes Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

Force Field Analysis 5*5* 3 ? ? Total = ? MEF Time ? ? Negative forces ? Total = ? Funds CSOs Public demand ? Positive forces 5 1 ? ? Your influence on the force Plan: Minister of Trade puts forward pro- poor trade and complementary policy programme to the cabinet by April ? Your influence on the force Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

6 Competencies 1.Strategy development 2.Learning-oriented management 3.Collaboration mechanisms 4.Knowledge capture and storage 5.Knowledge sharing and learning 6.Resource mobilisation Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

TODAY IN A YEAR

SWOT Analysis What type of policy influencing skills and capacities do we have? In what areas have our staff used them more effectively? Who are our strongest allies? When have they worked with us? Are there any windows of opportunity? What can affect our ability to influence policy? StrengthsWeaknesses OpportunitiesThreats Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

The Three Stages OUTCOME MAPPING: Building Learning and Reflection into Development Programs Sarah Earl, Fred Carden, and Terry Smutylo Map political context Identify key stakeholders Identify desired changes Develop an engagement strategy Analyse internal capacity to affect change Establish Monitoring and learning systems

3 possible exercises Describe your programme’s policy objectives Identify your key stakeholders Discuss the approach and how it fits with what you do and can do