The Rapid Results Approach: An Overview

WBIFP Investment Climate Unit October 26, 2003

Agenda

Overview of the Rapid Results Approach (RRA)

Piloting RRA in Kenya Risks of traditional project plans and key strengths of RRA Conditions for RRA Implementation RRA and Traditional Capacity Building Methods
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What is the Rapid Results Approach ?

The Rapid Results Approach (RRA) is a resultsfocused learning process aimed at jump-starting major change efforts and enhancing implementation capacity

RRA tackles large-scale change efforts through a series of small-scale, results-producing and momentum-building initiatives RRA is consistent with the International Communitys focus on results and capacity enhancement and client ownership
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What Can the Rapid Results Approach (RRA) Do?

Unleashes and enhances implementation capacity Translates intent into action to achieve results within 100 days Overcomes inertia and resistance to change Builds support for change Helps leaders adapt and refine implementation strategies Accelerates learning and discovery and reduces hidden risks inherent in long-term strategies
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RRA Brings Out Group Motivation

RRA sets and drives Breakthrough Goals and holds teams accountable for these goals
Breakthrough Goals: Challenging stretch goal, yet achievable Using existing resources and Result in capacities Urgent and compelling 100 days or les Sharply defined and measurable and visible Change in Organizational Behavior People Collaborate People Experiment and Ignore Red Tape

People Tap Their Full potential of energy and creativity

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Identifying a Rapid Results Initiative

Improving the Investment Climate
Improve overall security
To: Start with carjacking incidents
To: Focus on one high To: Focus on one high incidence district incidence district To: Reduce carjacking To: Reduce incidents by ___% in carjacking incidents __ district, in next by 60 ___% in __ days district, in next 60 days

Key Strategic Objective

RapidResults Goal

Illustration of a Rapid Results Initiative

Reduce time for business license processing in Nairobi by one week in next 60 days

Action

Impact Variable

Scope

Measurement

Time Frame

Managing the RRA Portfolio

Activities

LongTerm Activities

Time

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Overall Objective

Rapid Results Initiatives

Illustration of a Rapid Results Portfolio

Program Activities
Strengthen key institutions in the Government Set up competitive fund to subsidize private services Strengthen Nicaraguan Institute for Agricultural Technology Pilot education/training for technical service providers Establish information system to identify farmer needs
Jul-Oct 2002

July 2000

Increase sale of milk from 500 to 1500 gallons per day in 60 small and medium size producers in Leon municipality, in 120 days

Improve productivity of 120,000 farmers by 30% in 16 years

Steps in RRA Implementation

1-2 weeks

Orien tation

Introduce RRA to strategic leaders (WB team) Conduct preliminary orientation with possible team leaders (WB team)

Ensure high-level buy-in and commitment to implementation (WB team)

1-2 weeks

RRI Identifi cation

Clarify challenge, outline possible RRIs & align stakeholders (client) Identify and mobilize RRI team (client) Orient team on RRI and train RRI coaches (WB team) Finalize goal of RRI (RRI team) Develop preliminary work plan (RRI team) Implement work plan, and adjust as needed (RRI team) Provide guidance and implementation support (WB team) Review progress and disseminate learning (WB team)

1-2 days

Launch

60-120 days

Impleme ntation Support

6-12 months

Scaleup

Scale up successful RRIs (client) Adjust portfolio of activities and rapid-results initiatives in the strategic plan (client) 10

Kenya Pilot as a Prototype

New government in place with desire for reform

High expectations for results from the general public but strong inertia and resistance to change
IDA requirement for results: push for rapid results

Entry point on a theme: improving investment climate

Unique use of RRA to enhance implementation capacity and results Support for implementation through RRA
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The Challenge in Kenya

After 9 months in power, the new NARC Government of Kenya (GOK) faces one key capacity challenge:

To implement the governments Economic Recovery Strategy (ERS)

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Why Rapid Results in Kenya?

Using the RRA helps the government tackle the implementation challenge

GOK sees RRA as an important, timely tool for implementing the ERS GOK decided to launch the first round of rapidresults initiatives

GOK is interested in institutionalizing the approach within the government

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Key Risks of Traditional Strategic Projects

Integration Risk: Being able to knit the activities together to produce the desired result Execution Risk: Organizational inertia and Weak accountability Figure-out-ability Risk: Knowing all the needed activities in advance
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Key Strengths of RRA

Unleash existing capacity through strengthened accountability at all levels Create a goal-oriented context for leveraging outside capacity inputs Accelerate the learning and discovery process of capacity issues, requirements, and constraints, and reduce hidden risks inherent in long-term strategies Generate stimulus and momentum for change
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Conditions for Selecting RRA

New government/administration facing political pressure to perform Government showing political commitment to reform Presence of reform champions within the government Entrepreneurial spirit: willingness to take some risk
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RRA and Traditional Capacity Building Methods

Need to enhance implementation capacity Existing WBI products focus only on diagnostics, knowledge and skills transfer RRI complements existing products Combining RRIs with longer-term traditional training activities can create a large-scale implementation strategy
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Thank You

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