THE HISTORY AND THE METHODOLOGY OF RAPID RESULTS APPROACH Training for Afrik4r Regional and National Coaches Abidjan 8th- 9th June 2016 Sylvester Odhiambo Obong’o, PhD Afrik4R Regional Coach December 2012

OUTLINE DEFINITIONS HISTORY OF RRA THE RRI METHOD INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK IMPLEMENTATION PHASES BENEFITS

RAPID RESULTS APPROACH DEFINITION RAPID RESULTS APPROACH

RAPID RESULTS APPROACH Rapid Results Approach (RRA) is a results-focused learning process (methodology) aimed at jump- starting major organizational change efforts and enhancing implementation capacity. RRA tackles large-scale medium and long-term change efforts through a series of small-scale, results-producing and momentum-building initiatives implemented within 100-days or less, commonly referred to as 100-day Rapid Results Initiative (RRI).

RAPID RESULTS APPROACH The premise of the Rapid-Results Approach is to create a context for learning and for enhancing implementation capacity, by helping organizations work on sharply defined 100-day initiatives that dovetail into Annual Work Plans and Strategic Plans The short-term 100-day initiative goals therefore form the building block towards the achievement of the long-term goals.

RAPID RESULTS APPROACH RRA is therefore a results-focused management tool that Accelerates implementation of strategic organizational objectives and priorities Builds support for large-scale change efforts by overcoming inertia and resistance to change Helps leaders adapt and refine implementation strategies It is an action learning group-based process that has been proven to generate innovative and creative solutions to address complex problems and opportunities for individuals, teams and organizations

“Crossing the river by feeling the stones” LEARNING BY DOING “Crossing the river by feeling the stones”

RRA ACTION LEARNING RRA action learning is a highly focused process among 8-12 group members who use an RRA coach to help the team address real, current, important problems and unlock opportunities in their organization– and learn at the same time; Through RRA the team accomplishes deep and significant organizational change, especially from reflecting on the results of their actions and accomplishment within the 100-days.

RAPID RESULTS APPROACH THE HISTORY RAPID RESULTS APPROACH

ORIGINS1 Rapid Results Approach was developed by Schaffer Consulting to achieve breakthrough levels of performance; The development of Rapid Results Approach is based on experience working with clients across industries dating back to the 1950’s The methodology is detailed in the book “Rapid Results! How 100-Day Projects Build the Capacity for Large-Scale Change” by Robert Schaffer and Ron Ashkenas; The book details how Rapid Results works and its impact. 1 In 2007, Schaffer Consulting founded the Rapid Results Institute (RRI) to refine the methodology to support non-profit work and development projects across Sub-Saharan Africa, South America, the United States, and the Middle East

IMPLEMENTATION TO DATE RRA has successfully been implemented in several countries across the World through the Rapid Results Institute and other trained coaches: Africa: Eritrea, Ghana, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Zimbabwe, Madagascar Middle-East: Jordan, South America: Nicaragua, Brazil Asia: Yemen, Nepal Europe: UK USA

IMPLEMENTATION TO DATE Thus Approach has been in use for over 50 years in the public and private sectors – both in developed and developing economies—to enhance the effectiveness and capacity of organizations and individuals.

THE RAPID RESULTS APPROACH METHOD

RAPID RESULTS INITIATIVE RRI goals are uniquely defined: highly ambitious yet believable RRI has a clear beginning and end – 100 days or less RRI is managed for high visibility RRI is driven by committed and diverse team RRI is implemented to achieve higher level of performance

RAPID RESULTS INITIATIVE Breakthrough Goals Challenging “stretch” goal, yet achievable Using existing resources and capacities Urgent and compelling – 100 days or less Sharply defined and measurable and visible Change in Organizational Behavior People Collaborate People Experiment and Ignore Red Tape People Tap their Full potential of energy and creativity Result in

FOCUS The Main Thing…. In Rapid Results Approach Is to keep the Main Thing The Main Thing!

RAPID RESULTS INITIATIVE Breaks down the bureaucracy and creates a temporary governance structure for implementation of a specific task Team members are selected based on skills alone and their ability to help the team succeed Tasks are assigned to individuals and not to departments or group- thus RRA is based on individual accountability Every team member is regarded as equal and are referred to by their preferred name and not title.

RAPID RESULTS INITIATIVE INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK FOR IMPLEMENTING RAPID RESULTS INITIATIVE

GOVERNANCE STRUCTURE Political Leader (Board Level) Sponsor (CEO) Results Leader (RL) Strategic Leader (SL) Team Leader (TL) Team Members RRI COACH

POLITICAL LEADER Support overall policy framework; Supports the governance structure as well as the teams as a whole Broadcast RRI commitments and achievements to all stakeholders;

SPONSOR Mobilize and avail resources Help the team overcome broad challenges Liaises with other accounting officers to support RRI implementation; Holds the results leader accountable for achievement of RRI Goals

RESULTS LEADER Coordinate all the RRI’s within the organization Should be able to hold Strategic Leader accountable for results Assist in the mobilization of resources Broadcast RRI achievements Initiate Scale-up

STRATEGIC LEADER Assists in unblocking challenges when called upon Ensures the lessons from the RRI advance the strategic plan objectives Their individual work plan is most closely aligned to the RRI focus Is a transformative leader Inspires the team leader and team to think outside the box Holds team leader accountable for results

TEAM LEADER Must have specialized skills in the RRI focus area Is able to hold members accountable for action step implementation; Would be comfortable and excited about delivering on the RRI area Inspires the team to think outside the box Has ultimate accountability for results; Ensures the lessons from the RRI are documented and used

TEAM MEMBERS Have skills in the RRI area Are able to work during the 100- days to implement actions that will deliver the goal Team composition should include Relevant staff from the Organization Stakeholders e.g. private sector, development partners, other ministries

RAPID RESULTS APPROACH IMPLEMENTATION STEPS RAPID RESULTS APPROACH

STEPS IN RRA IMPLEMENTATION Orientation Introduce RRA to strategic leaders (Senior Coach) Ensure high-level buy-in and commitment to implementation Conduct preliminary orientation with possible team leaders 1-2 weeks Clarify challenge, outline possible RRIs & align stakeholders Identify and mobilize RRI team Orient team on RRI and train RRI coaches 1-2 weeks RRI Identification 1-2 days Finalize goal of RRI Develop preliminary work plan Launch Implement work plan, and adjust as needed Provide guidance and implementation support Review progress and disseminate learning 60-120 days Implementation Support 4-12 months Scale up successful RRIs Adjust portfolio of activities and rapid-results initiatives in the strategic plan Scale–up

RAPID RESULTS APPROACH BENEFITS RAPID RESULTS APPROACH

BENEFITS Re-orients mindset from concentrating on processes to delivery of demonstrable results Incorporates stakeholders in implementation and service delivery Builds team spirit and organizational loyalty It is a process that demonstrates accountability and transparency; Performance is easily measured in real benefits It makes it easy to monitor performance and report results at both outcome and impact level Leads to creativity and innovativeness Discovery of latent skills and competencies

ENDURING VALUE OF RRI’S High Performance Team Experience Real Accountability Change of Mindset Rapid-Results, as the name suggests, are about achieving results, and about achieving these rapidly. But to get durability in these results, we need to go after these results in a very particular way. We need to pay attention t o how we are achieving these results and what is left behind after the results are achieved – the legacy of the experience of rapid-results. Our experience suggests that there are three parts to this legacy: the experience of the 100 days can be transformational for the individuals participating in the RRI’s. High performance can be addictive: once people experience it they do not want to go back to mediocre performance: What is the nature of this transformation? Individuals have higher levels of expectations of themselves and of each other Individuals have higher levels of confidence We have talked about how some factors help release group adrenalin in groups – challenge, ambitious yet believable goal, high visibility and so on, and how these create the team experience of high performance that we are aspiring for: collaboration, creativity, questioning assumptions, intimacy, fun, and achievement Before we

“You’re supposed to say ‘I do’, not ‘I’ll try’.” CONCLUSION RRI = RESULTS FOCUS “You’re supposed to say ‘I do’, not ‘I’ll try’.”

PARTING SHORT “…chart a course for every endeavor that we take the people’s money for, see how well we are progressing, tell the public how we are doing, stop the things that don’t work, and never stop improving the things that we think are worth investing in...” President William J. Clinton, on signing the Government Performance and Results Act of 1993