Rethinking Capacity Development

Abstract

This article presents a summarized theoretical framework for capacity development, and the implications of applying this framework to development programs and projects. It is hoped the discussions in this article will promote debate among developing countries and development partners on revisions to current approaches to capacity development, and a move to designs that offer greater hope of sustained impact. The author suggests there are three key and essential phases in the CD process, each of which needs to be subjected to careful technical analysis: Performance Analysis – identifying what are the specific performance gaps which the organization wishes to address; Capacity Diagnostic Analysis – identifying the factors which are contributing to the performance gaps of the organization; Strategy development – based on the diagnostic analysis, developing strategies to address the factors which are constraining capacity.