Big Picture – results-based funding pressure

Within the aided development sector the success or failure of community organizations is often measured against their ability to deliver results that more often than not are dictated by the expectations of the funding organization. Consequently, the goal in developing organizational capacity is quite narrowly defined and involves strengthening the management capabilities needed to deliver quick development results. These include operational planning, financial management, service delivery and so on. Experiences suggest that this one-size-fits-all approach undermines the emergence of flexible organizations that can respond to complex and changing circumstances within their institutional and broader environment. The resources highlighted on this site attempt to introduce various frameworks that can lead to a more integrated application of organizational development principles in day-to-day practice.