Participants will be appreciating the concepts and tools of quality control (e.g. “forking”) within the project cycle and will be able to apply the procedures and techniques of the ex-ante assessment of project proposals (building of logic cause-effect tree & structuring a Logical Framework matrix). Backward engineering provides lessons on how to design and formulate proposals / tenders.
On the basis of applying the quality assessment technique of proposals participants will get a thorough insight into the elements of a Terms of Reference applicable to all phases of the project cycle. The concept of the WHAT , HOW and SUPPORT matrixes will be practised, offering a simple but effective tool for elaborating the Institutional Development plan of organisations involved in service delivery (suppliers). Participants will be aware of the importance of this often ignored area of attention in the planning process.
The Introductory course includes (1) the Definition and Terminology of Project Cycle Management (as against to Project Management), (2) the ex-ante Assessment Techniques and Quality Judgement of project designs (tenders) and (3) implications for Logical Framework Planning and of Financial Proposal writing.
The content of the Advanced module includes:
- further identification of potential weaknesses in proposals through the `famous` Ex-ante Assessment Technique to formulate questions in the Terms of Reference
- Design of the structure of a Terms of Reference
- the innovative concept of the HOW and SUPPORT LogFrames in addition to the traditional WHAT LogFrame
- The course has some theory but aims at being very practical and at encouraging communication and the sharing of experience between participants from different organizations. Thus group work is a major pedagogical aspect of the course.
- Differentiating between Project Cycle Management (PCM) and Results Based Management (RBM) is quite important because of the current uptake of the last. It is very interesting to realize that although RBM is in full congruence with the PCM (and LFA) concepts, tools and techniques, it is even more emphasizing on the quality aspect of service delivery.
RBM particularly focuses on reporting and corrective action established by assessing Actual Results versus Planned Results. A regular and institutionalized Monitoring and Evaluation system will need to gather information about achievement of Results at any level in the Logical Framework Matrix (Outputs, Ourcome, Purpose & Overall Objectives).
RBM further interlinks this M&E system with regular Feedback and Adjustment system. In fact PCM is the first step particularly to enhance programming, while RBM adds to PCM by elaborating on institutional accountability, effectiveness and efficacy.
The other interesting concept RBM introduces is the internal work planning as a management tool to facilitate the implementation of the project plan presented in the Logical Framework Matrix. It is interesting because we felt such a lacune in the LFA approach. The traditional matrix presents a plan for the “WHAT should be happening”, but merely ignored HOW it would be happening. For a couple of years we therefore promoted the use of a WHAT matrix aiming at End-Users, a HOW matrix aiming at intermediary organisations and a SUPPORT matrix aiming at the own organisation or Project Management
[hr]Price: 1240 € (excl. 21% VAT)
[hr] [iphorm id=”9″ name=”COMBI – Introductory and Advanced PCM / RBM (5 days)”]