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Learning objectives

To appreciate the fundamental mismatch between policy and practice in development
To understand the importance of having context, and in finding local solutions to local problems
Skills in adaptive development practice, in the cycles of experimentation, learning, iteration and adaptation
To discern strategies to overcome political challenges and broker new collaborations

To comprehend how to measure progress and manage performance when working adaptively
To diffuse results from practice, by taking them to scale and influencing policy
All graded assessment will be graded and have insightful feedback for learners to further refine their new knowledge and skills.

To appreciate the fundamental mismatch between policy and practice in development
To understand the importance of having context, and in finding local solutions to local problems
Skills in adaptive development practice, in the cycles of experimentation, learning, iteration and adaptation
To discern strategies to overcome political challenges and broker new collaborations
To comprehend how to measure progress and manage performance when working adaptively
To diffuse results from practice, by taking them to scale and influencing policy
All graded assessment will be graded and have insightful feedback for learners to further refine their new knowledge and skills.

Syllabus

Module 1: How Solutions Become ProblemsIn this module we begin to unpack the complex nature of development problems. We will begin to see why solutions that do not take complexity into account often fail and sometimes cause harm.

Module 2: The DisconnectWhy do development interventions often fail? In Module 2 we will explore the disconnect that often exists between policy and practice, and analyse how common tools, such as logical frameworks, can add to this disconnect.

Module 3: Complexity in DevelopmentIn this module we will learn about key complexity concepts and understand how they can be used to better 'see' and account for complex institutional reality.

Module 4: Problem Driven Iterative AdaptationModule 4 introduces Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA), a framework for tackling complex problems developed by Harvard Kennedy School researchers Matt Andrews, Lant Pritchett and Michael Woolcock.

Module 5: More PDIAPDIA is further expanded on in Module 5.

Module 6: Theory of Change and Development EvaluationModule 6 examines some practical evaluation frameworks that can be used for monitoring and evaluating development interventions. These frameworks attempt to take complexity and systems thinking into account.

Module 7: Wicked Problems and Institutional CollaborationIn this module we look at how institutional collaboration can be used as a way of tackling wicked problems.

Module 8: Thinking and Working PoliticallyIn Module 8 we will develop an understanding of how politics is fundamental to any societal change process.

Module 9: Leading AdaptivelyIn this module we will learn about the skills and knowledge you will need to be an adaptive leader and development entrepreneur.

The 'From the Leaders' sections in this courseWe have collected some amazing interviews with practitioners worldwide who are leaders in the field of adaptive practice. Some of these are quite long, but we believe that the knowledge imparted by the leaders will be extremely valuable to your learning in this field. You will not be assessed on this content, but we encourage you to watch these and gain some really great insights into adaptive practice in the real world.

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Meant for individuals with development sector experience

Ideal for those interested in pursuing a career in development

Requires background knowledge in development work

Covers a comprehensive range of topics relevant to development practice

Provides insights from experienced practitioners in the field

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Adaptive Leadership in Development with these activities:

Course Materials Review

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Review the course materials to prepare for the course and reinforce learning.

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Review the syllabus and course outline.
Gather and review all available course materials, such as readings, videos, and assignments.

Review complexity concepts

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Refresh key complexity concepts to improve understanding of the course materials.

Browse courses on Complexity

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Review notes or textbooks on complexity concepts.
Identify and explore examples of complexity in different contexts.

Resource Compilation on Adaptive Development

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Gather and compile resources to support learning about adaptive development practices.

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Search for reputable sources on adaptive development.
Review and select relevant resources.
Organize and compile the resources into a coherent format.

Six other activities

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PDIA Framework Exercises

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Practice applying the PDIA framework to real-world development problems.

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Read and understand the PDIA framework.
Identify a real-world development problem and apply the PDIA framework to analyze it.

Peer Review and Feedback

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Seek feedback on your work from peers to improve your understanding.

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Find a peer or group of peers to review your work.
Share your work and ask for constructive feedback.

PDIA cycle innovation project

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Start a project to test a new way to apply the PDIA cycle to an actual development problem.

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Read and understand the PDIA cycle, including its steps and principles.
Choose a real-world development problem and define it using PDIA terminology.
Apply the PDIA cycle to the chosen problem and regularly evaluate your progress.

Theory of Change Presentation

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Create a presentation outlining a theory of change for a development intervention.

Browse courses on Theory of Change

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Research and understand the concept of a theory of change.
Identify a development intervention and develop a theory of change for it.
Create a presentation to outline the theory of change.

Blog Post on Politics and Development

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Write a blog post that explores the role of politics in development.

Browse courses on Politics

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Research and gather information on the topic.
Develop a compelling argument and outline for the blog post.
Write and edit the blog post.

Adaptive Development Innovation Project

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Start a project to develop and implement an innovative solution to a development problem.

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Identify a development problem and research potential solutions.
Develop a project plan and timeline.
Implement the project and monitor its progress.

Career center

Learners who complete Adaptive Leadership in Development will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Director of International Development

For Directors of International Development, responsible for managing and coordinating international development programs, this course can provide valuable insights. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Directors navigate the complexities of implementing development initiatives in different contexts. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to respond to evolving needs and challenges in the field.

See salaries and explore the career path for Director of International Development

Policy Advisor

For Policy Advisors, who provide advice on policy development and implementation, this course can offer valuable insights. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can enable Advisors to develop policies that are grounded in reality and responsive to local needs. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to refine and adjust policies based on feedback and emerging evidence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Policy Advisor

International Development Officer

International Development Officers, who work in international organizations or non-governmental organizations engaged in development work, may find this course beneficial. The course's focus on understanding the mismatch between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Officers navigate the complexities of implementing development initiatives in different countries. Furthermore, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as experimentation, learning, iteration, and adaptation, can enhance their ability to respond to changing circumstances and improve project outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for International Development Officer

Senior Policy Advisor

This course may be useful for Senior Policy Advisors, who provide strategic advice on policy development and implementation. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can enable Senior Advisors to develop policies that are grounded in reality and responsive to local needs. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to refine and adjust policies based on feedback and emerging evidence.

See salaries and explore the career path for Senior Policy Advisor

Research Analyst

For Research Analysts, who conduct research to inform development policies and programs, this course can offer valuable insights. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its examination of complexity in development, can help Analysts produce research that is grounded in reality and responsive to the needs of decision-makers. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to adjust research questions and methodologies based on emerging evidence and lessons learned.

See salaries and explore the career path for Research Analyst

Sustainable Development Manager

This course may be useful for Sustainable Development Managers, responsible for managing and implementing sustainable development programs. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Managers design and implement effective programs that are tailored to specific needs. Furthermore, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to respond to changing circumstances and improve program outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Sustainable Development Manager

Technical Advisor

Technical Advisors, who provide technical expertise to development organizations, may find this course beneficial. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Advisors provide advice that is grounded in reality and responsive to local needs. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to adjust technical advice based on emerging evidence and lessons learned.

See salaries and explore the career path for Technical Advisor

Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

This course may be useful for Monitoring and Evaluation Specialists, responsible for designing, implementing, and evaluating monitoring and evaluation systems for development programs. The course's emphasis on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its examination of practical evaluation frameworks, can help Specialists develop robust monitoring and evaluation systems that capture the complexity of development interventions. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to adjust evaluation approaches based on emerging evidence and lessons learned.

See salaries and explore the career path for Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist

Program Manager

Program Managers, responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating development programs, may find this course beneficial. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Managers design and implement effective programs that are tailored to specific needs. Furthermore, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to respond to changing circumstances and improve program outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Program Manager

Social Impact Analyst

Social Impact Analysts, responsible for assessing the social impact of development interventions, may find this course beneficial. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Analysts conduct rigorous impact assessments that capture the complexity of development interventions. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to adjust evaluation approaches based on emerging evidence and lessons learned.

See salaries and explore the career path for Social Impact Analyst

Project Manager

Project Managers, responsible for managing and implementing development projects, may find this course useful. The course's emphasis on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its focus on context and local solutions, can help Managers navigate the complexities of implementing projects in different settings. Furthermore, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to respond to changing circumstances and ensure project success.

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Strategic Planning Manager

Strategic Planning Managers, responsible for developing and implementing strategic plans for development organizations, may find this course useful. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Managers develop strategic plans that are grounded in reality and responsive to local needs. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to adjust plans based on emerging evidence and lessons learned.

See salaries and explore the career path for Strategic Planning Manager

Economic Development Manager

Economic Development Managers, who oversee economic development initiatives at the local or regional level, may find this course beneficial. The course's emphasis on understanding context and finding local solutions aligns with the role's need to address the unique economic challenges of different communities. Furthermore, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as experimentation, learning, iteration, and adaptation, can enhance an Economic Development Manager's ability to respond to changing economic conditions and adjust strategies accordingly.

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Global Health Program Manager

This course may be useful for Global Health Program Managers, responsible for planning, implementing, and evaluating global health programs. The course's focus on understanding the disconnect between policy and practice, as well as its emphasis on context and local solutions, can help Program Managers design and implement effective health interventions in different settings. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as problem-driven iterative adaptation, can enhance their ability to respond to evolving health challenges and improve program outcomes.

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Community Development Manager

With a focus on local problems and adaptive problem-solving, this course may be useful for Community Development Managers, responsible for the planning, organization, implementation, and evaluation of community development programs and initiatives. The course's emphasis on understanding context and finding local solutions aligns well with the role's need to address the specific needs of different communities. Additionally, the skills in adaptive development practice, such as experimentation, learning, iteration, and adaptation, can enhance a Community Development Manager's ability to respond effectively to changing circumstances and improve program outcomes.

See salaries and explore the career path for Community Development Manager

Adaptive Leadership in Development

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What's inside

Learning objectives

Syllabus

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Activities

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