MfDR and Evaluation

My current focus is on developing donor capacity for Managing for Development Results (MfDR) and impact and process evaluations for learning, training and development. Examples of the work includes:

Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation (SDC)

The initiative Stock taking, preparation of an international workshop and the elaboration of guiding principles regarding results reporting by donor agencies has been undertaken by SDC (as a contribution to the Global Partnership for MfDR) to address the following issues and trends:

• For many donors results reporting (in particular for the public) is new and the number of donor countries publishing such reports is increasing.
• It is very important to have coherent approaches to the measurement and monitoring of outcomes towards MDG targets.
• Public debate on aid effectiveness (internationally, in donor countries) and decisions on budgets are a key aspect of results reporting by donors.
• There are opportunities of coordination or collaboration among donors in undertaking and harmonising results reporting.

The workshop for this project will be held with a number of donor agencies in June 2010 in Geneva, to be followed by the development of guiding principles for results reporting.

MfDR for the Government of Sri Lanka

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) is currently undertaking a special program of capacity-building for Sri Lanka under its Managing for Development Results Program (RETA 6306). Assessments have been conducted of the readiness of four ministries to adopt a more results focused approach (Ministry of Highways, Ministry of Agriculture and Agrarian Services, Ministry of Plan Implementation and Water Board).

Part of the process has involved the articulation of capacity development plans, including the conceptual design and terms of reference for information systems, to address the capacity gaps identified in the regional assessments.

Hal Richman was asked to join the project team for the mission held March/April 2009 to assist the four ministries in developing their results based management framework, provide training and coaching in the principles of results based management and specify various IT based capacity development initiatives. Hal also helped introduce the Program Activity Architecture (PAA) from the Government of Canada to the central planning ministry. The PAA helps Government roll-out and manage high level results from ministries and departments by requiring ministries to link their program activities to strategic results.

Consulting, Training and Facilitation in Results Based Management for Public Works Government Services Canada

Public Works Government Services Canada (PWGSC - Atlantic Region) has a need to make their regional business plan objectives more measurable and coach/train staff in the theory and practice of results based management/monitoring and evaluation to do this.
 
Based on his track record with results based management and familiarity with the Program Activity Architecture (PAA) from the Government of Canada, Hal was requested to provide consulting, training and facilitation services in preparation for the retreat held in May 2009 with the regional leadership team. This successful retreat led to the clarification of goals and objectives and a collaborative definition of the outputs for each strategy.

Monitoring and Evaluation of E-Learning and Knowledge Network Program for Bosnia-Herzegovina

Goss Gilroy Inc. (Ottawa, Canada) and Productivity Solutions Inc. (Stillwater Lake, Nova Scotia) were awarded a five year contract by the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) to conduct a Project Review and Evaluation for the E-Learning and Knowledge Network Program for Bosnia-Herzegovina. This project involved capacity building in all aspects of learning design and delivery for the E-NET Centar at the University of Sarajevo, as well as capacity building and training for key sectors such as municipal management and judicial management.

This assignment involved the application of results based management to the evaluation of outputs, outcomes and impacts of the initiative (based in Sarajevo), including detailed needs assessments and baseline studies. Hal Richman’s special contribution was his expertise in eLearning design, marketing and evaluation.

Contact me or give me a call at 902-826-1017

Hal Richman, Ph.D. - Explorer, Problem Solver, Advisor

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