Escaping the “Capability Trap”: Turning “Small” Development into “Big” Development

Abstract

The international development community has been grappling with how to overcome challenges in the implementation of development programs and, consequently, with the design of practical models and approaches that can assist in delivering on program objectives. This paper contributes to the emerging discussion around the development of a “science of delivery” by presenting one proven approach - Leadership for Results (L4R) – that supports leadership and implementation to improve service delivery in developing countries. The engagement documented in Burundi provides practical experience that exemplifies what it means to tackle development through ‘problem driven iterative adaptation’ (PDIA).^[i]This sustained leadership capacity development program, supported with close engagement at the implementation levels, has facilitated the government’s own home-grown efforts to lead and manage the reform of their public sector. The outcome is that the government is now better enabled to hasten the process of developing its own implementation capacity over the long-term.

[i]    See Andrews et al (2012) for a discussion of the PDIA and Andrews (2013) for its relevance to institutional reforms.