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2012 is Here

2012 is here. Will it be the same as 2011?

Well, not if we do a reflection and learned our lessons in 2011. Let us look back, reflect sincerely and move forward.

In looking back, let us consider these personal evaluation questions: (a) what was the most fun I had this past year? (b) what did I learn in 2011? (c) what did I adapt on a personal level (a change in the practice, procedures, and habits) for my own good? and (d) What books or concepts had the biggest impact on me?

In visioning 2012, let us consider: (a) what important projects (organizational or personal) would I like to achieve? (b) How do I see my career grow? (c) what skills and competencies do I like to obtain or sharpen? (d) how can I multiply services and deliver more? (e) how much can I learn?  More on 2012 is Here

M&E Systems & Your Cellphones

 

You guessed it! Project management is discovering more and more uses of the power of the ever present cellphones. Like the internet, cellphones reached the remote rural areas much faster than refrigerators, TV, radio and even electricity did.

Now monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has invaded the cellphone space and is now gaining traction among development facilitators. They are joining the bandwagon for cost effectiveness and the fun of using a technology for the usually tiring and boring ME chores. In this method, the beneficiary-respondents use GMS-enabled phones as point of interest (POI) input devices that feed to a central data server via a database template for aggregation, visualization and even re-dissemination of the processed data over the internet. PMUs can do the four simple steps: (a) create an account, (b) download and install a software, (c) collect location data and More on M&E Systems & Your Cellphones

Development, iPad and You!

The internet revolution continue to influence the speed and directions of development. Last year saw its potentials in starting and sustaining deep transformations, not only in organizations but in countries as well. It affected everyone including the way we do our development practice. Last year, IPad gradually move-in to our domains. Not only did we see iPad’s with our participants, but other facilitators as well. As an information collection point, the iPad can be a powerful space for disseminating (and reporting) development results. The World Bank is a case in point. Since it began as a thick, analytical, data-full and graphics intensive publication in 1978, WB’s World Development Report (WDR) moved from print to PDFs to web 2.0 channels. The new edition is about gender equality. It argues that gender equality is a core development issue and departs from the contemporary view of expanding freedoms equally for men and women. Before iPad, the WDR readers’ internet experience consisted of multiple channels (text, video, galleries, slideshows, downloads, etc.) and use of interactive elements like commentaries, discussion, chats and telephony. This year, WB aims to make reading analytical reports even more accessible, fun, intimate, and truly engaging experience. More on Development, iPad and You!

Nepal’s Blended Courses: A Success!

 

As the year ended, COSO has successfully piloted two back-to-back Results-focused Project Design and Management (RfPDM) courses in Kathmandu, Nepal. 45 participants from various Government departments and Nepal resident mission attended the training courses.

These courses had many firsts! One, it applied the blended-learning method which enabled the participants to go through our e-Learning module for four-weeks with email facilitated mentoring support. Second, the two batches attended 2-day face-to-face courses. These were patterned after ADB’s classic 5-day RfPDM courses. Third, a one-hour DMF clinic that critically diagnosed seven key projects in the NRM’s portfolio. The clinic reviewed: (a) Subregional Transport Enhancement Project, (b) Air Transport Capacity Enhancement Project, (c) SASEC Information Highway Project, (d) DMF of Energy Access and Efficiency Improvement Project, (e) Second Rural Finance, (f) Road Connectivity Sector 1, and (g) Information and Communication Technology Development Project. Relevant NRM staff attended the clinics with their project counterparts. 

The Power of Facilitation

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The representatives from the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), Government of Vietnam, illustrated the struggle to generate concensus on a Project Design presented during the Training of Facilitators workshop, held in Manila, Philippines (27 June – 6 July 2011).