Application of managing for results by reaching agents of change project among selected countries in sub-Sahara Africa
Abstract
Managing for Results (MFR) is a management approach that has been revered by
management scholars and organizations globally. Driven by the desire for impact and
change in the society, international, regional, local organizations and governments are
struggling to understand and adopt MFR approach in their everyday management with an
array of challenges experienced in the implementation process. The challenge with
adopting MFR is in its diversion from the process-driven and resource-centric approaches
that most institutions and governments have been using. Adopting and successfully
implementing MFR plays a guiding role that keeps the players reminded on the ‘why’
various activities are implemented, and goes a step further to outline desired outcomes if
the proposed activities are implemented as proposed. This research study brings out the
role played by MFR in performance of a project or program being undertaken and
suitability of the MFR approach to organizations and/ or governments. The research is a
case study of the Reaching Agents of Change (RAC) project, a regional project
implemented in Tanzania, Nigeria and Mozambique. This was a case study. The
researcher used interview guides to collect primary data and information from the
respondents. This data/ information were analyzed qualitatively to draw conclusions and
formed the basis for the recommendations. The study focused on project staff
understanding of MFR and the tools used in MFR, it also sought to understand if they
would recommend the approach for regionally dispersed and multi-disciplinary projects,
and other projects/ programs and finally to establish the key challenges they faced. We
conclude that it is critical to take all staff through MFR training at the beginning of any
project or program, and all staff joining along the way should be taken through MFR
training to bring them up to speed with the results-delivery framework. This management
approach can turn around the face of developing nations and impact can be seen within
short periods. This approach best connects research and technology with development
interventions.
Publisher
University of Nairobi