Strategic Planning and Results Based Management DP-360 envisages strategic planning and results based management as the foundation stone of business and operational planning.
DP-360 provides a strategic management and performance improvement team that listens and learns from our clients while facilitating a review of the mission and goals of the organization in order to assess and analyze operational and performance needs. This provides the foundations on which to build a strategic plan that meets fully the unique organizational needs and aspirations of our clients.
Results based strategic planning is an inclusive, dynamic and transformative process that is built on the principles of performance orientated management. It systematically defines and prioritizes strategic areas of focus and creates a results based matrix supported by a logical activity framework designed to prioritize and map a route forward to achieve the desired result. It encourages a participative dialogue, embraces innovation and builds capacity and accountability to manage change and scale up proven effective practices as it focuses on managing interventions and challenges to achieve specific and tangible outcomes.
Strategic planning and results based management is an approach that fosters:
Transparency and enhances, collaboration, accountability and capacity development
Inclusiveness
Dialogue and innovative and lateral thinking
An evolving and learning organization
The use of effective management of change and performance improvement techniques
Together we build a results based chain with the following approach:
Situation analysis to identify:
Cause and effect
Participative dialogue is used to build the results based plan:
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Results: Specific, measurable, accountable, time-bound (SMART) statements of the product, process or service that must evolve or change to address cause and effect issues or challenges identified
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Output: Performance based interventions linked to specific measurable outcomes that are underpinned by an activity and responsibility framework that also identifies key challenges associated with achieving immediate results
- Input: Resources – time, human, financial, infrastructure etc required to achieve outputs and results
- Outcome: Short and medium term results and the performance indicators that can be used to monitor and prioritize activities to create a progressive, sequential framework of achievable results
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Impact: Long term effect and consequence of achieving outcomes.
Reference: World Bank
Project Management
At DP-360, we believe that a system of diligent project management is the key to successful organizational change, growth and development.
At DP-360 we specialize in comprehensive project management and apply a proven effective scientific methodology that we term as Sustainable Solutions for Project Management (SSPM®).
Our Approach to Project Management:
• Feasibility studies
• Stakeholder analysis
• SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis
• Project planning (Macro-level)
• Operational planning (Micro-level)
• Monitoring framework
• Planning waste-proof resource allocation
• Risk management
• Ethico-legal analysis
• Execution
• Real time management
• Oversight
• Knowledge management database and systems
Health System Assessment
In our opinion, a health system comprises of the public sector (legislative, administrative and service delivery branches), the private sector (all non-state agencies), funding avenues, human resources, infrastructure and logistics (drugs, equipment etc.), programs, projects and interventions, healthcare providers, the community and the beneficiaries. Health system is a single cohesive unit entailing forward looking coordination among all these players intended to achieve, restore and maintain equitable health for all and establish universal health coverage.
Our approach to health system assessment:
Our aim is to evaluate various components of a health system with respect to:
a) Policy initiative b) Resources (Financial, Human, Health and Non-health commodities) c) Service delivery d) Access and coverage e) Communication and database management f) Equity g) Quality assurance and improvement h) Impact i) Cost-effectiveness and j) Sustainability.
A comprehensive HSA would include the assessment of:
Inputs (all the resources including policies)
Processes
Drivers/ Influencers (internal and external)
Outcomes and impact
Financial efficacy
Health Sector Reforms
HSR focus has seen some transition over the decades, with decentralization being the initial high point building on to focus on strengthening primary healthcare subsequently including public private partnerships and even considerations of privatization of the public health systems.
Our approach to health sector reform:
As the first step towards establishing the reform process, DP-360 would undertake a baseline study and needs assessment across the identified priority areas; including the management functions and health disease areas. This would also involve an in-depth stakeholder analysis encompassing all the state and non-state actors, which have any influence, direct or indirect, on the health system.
DP-360 strategy for guiding the reform process in a developing set up would focus on the following key elements and issues, inter alia.
Policy analysis
Health financing
Regulatory mechanisms
Management capabilities
Administrative and bureaucratic processes
Healthcare and allied service provision from the public, private and civil society sectors
Access and equity of services
Out of pocket expenditure for health services
Multi-sectoral partnerships
Community knowledge, attitude and practices towards health and healthcare issues
Partnerships – Development and Management
Partnerships are cornerstones of success of any development initiative. Partnerships can be between two entities or multiple agencies – based on the type of agencies, partnerships can be broadly categorized into public-private partnerships, private-private partnerships and public-public partnerships.
Our approach to global health partnerships:
Given the complexities inherent with health and healthcare, especially in a developing set up, it is important that effective, efficient and transparent partnerships are created. Such partnerships should lead not only to cost-effective implementation of a development initiative but capacity building of the partners involved. Based on the depth of the collective team experience of D360 in developing, managing and evaluating partnerships in global health we consider this area as our core competency. The salient features of our support to institutionalizing partnerships at global, regional, national and local levels would be:
Conceptualizing partnerships based on need assessment and stakeholder analysis
Establishing partnerships based on client needs and in consultation with proposed partners
Guiding and managing partnerships (DP-360 also provides technical assistance during the implementation of the partnership through onsite presence)
Establishing and managing routine supervision, monitoring and evaluation systems
Trouble shooting of any issues arising during implementation in real time
Evaluating partnerships through rapid appraisals and impact assessments
Establishing and managing knowledge and database management systems using state of art software and tools and documenting the implementation and success of partnerships
DP-360 is adept at partnerships in:
1) Resource allocation – financial, human resources, drugs, equipment, logistics etc. 2) Infrastructure creation – civil and other infrastructure 3) Research and development – studies, surveys, drugs etc. 4) Technical assistance – program / project development, establishing knowledge and database management systems, specific health and disease areas 5) Service delivery – primarily at the national / local level; typical public private partnerships (PPPs) for improving access 6) Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) – routine M&E, impact assessments etc.
Quality Management
Quality management is focused not only on product / service quality, but also the means to achieve it. DP-360 concept of quality management covers the following elements:
Quality infrastructure
Quality Planning
Quality institutionalization
Quality control
Quality assurance
Quality Improvement
Quality audit
Our approach to quality management:
While providing services on quality management to any and all industries, including public health projects, at DP-360, we include the following:
Needs assessment
Cost effectiveness analysis
Benchmarking
Ensure transparency and sustained communication between all the stakeholders and implementers involved
Supervision and monitoring of the quality components aimed at enabling optimum performance by people and machines
Institutionalize a sustained system of improvement
Institute a vigorous program of capacity building and self-improvement
Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring
Monitoring is a continuous function intended to gather real time information to inform effective management at micro and macro levels. We consider monitoring to be broadly constituted of the following components:
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Monitoring of resources; monitoring of finances, logistics and supply chain
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Monitoring of activities and processes
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Monitoring of performance
Evaluation
Evaluation is a periodic, systematic, specific, in-depth and results based assessment aimed at program improvement, ensuring accountability at all levels, learning and developing a knowledge database. We categorize evaluations into the following 3 subsets:
1. Performance evaluations
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Impact evaluations
3.
Specific evaluations
Despite the individual importance of monitoring and evaluation, both need to be synergistic. Monitoring facilitates evaluation and evaluation uses additional data collection and analytical frameworks. M&E systems need to be uncomplicated and easy to implement to achieve optimal efficiency.
Our approach to monitoring and evaluation:
At DP-360, based on our extensive experience in M&E systems we provide expertise in the following areas:
Planning and establishing M&E strategy and systems
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Executing, guiding and documenting routine monitoring
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Planning and undertaking evaluations (In-country and desk reviews)
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Performance evaluations
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Impact assessments
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Audits
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Inspections
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Reviews
While working on the M&E systems in any of the activities above, DP-360 approach is to consider the following elements, interalia:
Project / program goals, objectives, deliverables, timeline, strategies and microplan
Problem(s) addressed and their relevance to the bigger picture
Value for money and return on investments for the organization
Cost effectiveness of the interventions and implementation
Leadership
Partnerships and stakeholders
Management controls
Institutional arrangements, including roles, responsibilities and accountability
Existing M&E policies and systems
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Overall (organizational / national) policy context for M&E
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Operational context for M&E
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Gaps and challenges in the systems and operationalization of the existing M&E
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Methodological limitations
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M&E priorities
Adapting M&E systems to conflict and post-conflict settings
Knowledge and management information systems (MIS)
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Data collection, analysis, documentation and reporting systems
Accountability measures and systems
Beneficiaries targeted
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Intended audience and uses
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Gender considerations
Procurement and Supply Management
Procurement is the acquisition of products and services and supply chain management is the management of the entire supply system of a product or service starting from its origin to the end beneficiary.
Our approach to procurement and supply management:
At DP-360, we provide technical expertise in establishing and managing the entire lifecycle of procurement and supply chain management of health commodities and services. Following are the health commodities and services we have hands on experience in:
Health commodities and services:
Pharmaceuticals
Health products and equipment
Healthcare services
The range of services we provide under procurement and supply chain management include:
Procurement
Developing and institutionalizing a procurement plan
Support in operationalization:
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Identifying the need
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Ensuring just-in-time procurement
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Finalizing the type of procurement
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Establishing and guiding the bidding process
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Contract management
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Quality check and assurance
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Human resources
Supply chain management
Establishing a comprehensive supply chain management plan
Support in operationalization:
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Storage and inventory management
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Logistic management information system (LMIS)
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Distribution of commodities
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Measures to avert stockouts, overstocking and expiry
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Identifying and hiring human resources
Management Information Systems (MIS)
In public health, in a resource constrained setting it is crucial that information is derived and shared quickly and efficiently to ensure optimum use of the limited resources available. At DP-360, we believe that an efficient MIS helps collect, process, analyze and disseminate information at all levels to inform better planning and management of health programs and effective service delivery. We strongly propagate developing HMIS building on the existing system, taking cognizance of the local needs and available resources.
Our approach to establishing and managing HMIS:
Assess the existing MIS and the available resources
Benchmarking
Data segregation and collation
Establish efficient and real time data flow systems
Ensure alignment with program indicators and processes
Develop appropriate templates and tools for data collection and reporting
Formulate and execute a training program for all the staff
Pilot test the entire system
Institutionalize an effective supervision, monitoring and evaluation system for the HMIS
Establish regular coordination among all stakeholders
Training and Capacity Building
Trained healthcare professionals and service delivery personnel are crucial to the success of any public health program. There is an evident lack of such skilled workforce in developing countries.
Our approach to training and capacity building of public health workforce:
We, at DP-360, believe that to ensure an effective and dedicated public health workforce, there is a need to ensure an encouraging and favorable policy environment and mechanisms to ensure sustained interest and dedication of the workforce in addition to a continuum of training and capacity building. Our expertise in this area are focused on the following elements:
Situational analysis
Identify the training and capacity building needs
Formulate a comprehensive policy on human resources for public health
Develop necessary curriculum, materials and training schedules
Ensure availability of trained trainers
Field test the training and capacity building initiatives
Develop a system of regular quality assurance and quality check
Establish a robust monitoring and evaluation system
Health and Disease Areas
Our experts have extensive hands on experience and expertise, including in-depth understanding of the pathology, epidemiology, clinical medicine and public health aspects, in the following areas:
Communicable Diseases
Tuberculosis – prevention, treatment and control
HIV / AIDS – prevention, treatment, control and rehabilitation
Malaria – prevention, treatment and control (including vector control strategies
Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) – prevention, treatment and control
Non-communicable Diseases
Cardiovascular diseases and ailments – prevention, control and public health initiatives
Diabetes – prevention, control and public health initiatives
Respiratory diseases (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases, Asthma) – prevention, control and public health initiatives
Chronic renal disorders – prevention, control and public health initiatives
Mental health afflictions – prevention, control and public health initiatives
Maternal, Newborn and Child Health
Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health
Urban Health
Formulating urban health programs by taking cognizance of contextual factors in urban governance, demographic characteristics, communicable and non-communicable diseases, socio-economic determinants; availability and access to healthcare services, environmental health, health needs of the aging population etc.
Evaluating urban health programs and policies
Indigenous Population / Tribal Health Though the indigenous / tribal population is reducing in number globally, it is still a significant population group in several developing countries. Major challenges are encountered while providing healthcare services to these populations due to peculiar characteristics like sparsely populated and hard to reach areas, disparities in social and economic status as compared to the general population and resistance to modern medicine.
Establishing comprehensive advocacy and communication strategies to ensure mainstreaming of the tribal population
Conceptualizing health programs for these populations based on identified (normative, felt and expressed) needs
Establishing linkages between the health, education and poverty alleviation programs for the tribal population
Occupational Health, Environmental Safety and Wellness (OHESW)
At DP-360, we believe that occupational health and environmental safety is a crucial component of public health, especially given the rapid and often random industrialization in developing countries. Currently, an estimated two million people die each year as a result of occupational accidents and work-related illnesses or injuries (WHO, 2010). Many of these deaths and injuries can be prevented with establishment of adequate and evidence based occupational health and environmental safety practices.
Healthy workforce is a driving force not only for the economy but health of the society as well. OHESW entails OSH may involve interactions among many subject areas, including occupational medicine, occupational hygiene, public health, safety and industrial engineering, health physics, ergonomics and mental health.
Our approach to Occupational Health, Environmental Safety and Wellness (OHESW):
We, ate DP-360, have the necessary sector specific expertise to implement OHESW in the following industries, interalia:
Metal and non-ferrous metal manufacturing industries;
Automobile manufacturing industries;
Aircraft manufacturing and ancillary industries
Chemical manufacturing industries
Petrochemical industries and oil refineries
Garment manufacturing industries
Hospitality sector – Hotel and resort industries
Healthcare sector – primary, secondary, tertiary and super-specialty healthcare institutions (hospitals); in the public as well as the private sector
Following are the activities we undertake / elements we consider while implementing OHESW:
Hazard and risk assessment
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Manufacturing hazards
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Chemical hazards
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Biological hazards
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Radiation hazards
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Environmental assessment: air, water and general environment
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Ergonomical hazards
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Psychological and social hazards
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Nanotechnology: relatively unstudied area but more relevant than ever given the increased use of technology at workplace
Industrial Hygiene
Process safety management
Occupational medicine and occupational diseases
Women’s safety and health issues at workplace
Formulating workplace health insurance mechanisms
Occupational health psychology and psycho-social safety at work
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Mental health: assessment, prevention and cure
Occupational toxicology
Workplace infection control (for healthcare industry)
Occupational mortality and morbidity
Rehabilitation and recovery
Hazard and risk control systems
Visual management of occupational health and environmental safety systems
Occupational health and environment safety information management systems
Surveillance and routine monitoring
Compliance with international and national standards and regulation
Workplace wellness and healthy lifestyle promotion: Yoga and other interventions
Education
Education is considered as a route to economic prosperity and social change. We, at DP-360, believe that education and health initiatives have to be aligned in order to bring about a concrete and long-lasting change in the society.
Our approach to education initiatives in a
developing set up:
We provide technical assistance to governments, educational institutes and organizations working in education outreach initiatives in the following areas:
Situational analysis
Policy formulation
Establishing standards
Identification and training of human resources (teachers)
Seeking funding and grants
Water and Sanitation
According to UNICEF, 37% of the world’s population practice unsafe sanitation including open defecation and 780 million people worldwide use unsafe drinking water. Evidence has shown that improved water and sanitation can reduce child diarrhea by 30%.
Our approach to water and sanitation initiatives:
DP-360 is technically well equipped to provide technical assistance to governments and international and national organizations in establishing and sustaining services in water and sanitation with a focus on hard to reach areas and the marginalized population. Following are the elements we consider in our package of services in this area:
Needs assessment:
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Determining the gaps in safe drinking water and sanitation facilities
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Assessing the availability, gaps and challenges in the infrastructure and resources
Policy formulation and prioritization
Operational planning and implementation support
Advocacy and education:
Evidence based decision making and decentralization:
Private sector partnerships
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Establishing and sponsoring initiatives
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Assisting in expansion and scaling up of the interventions
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Providing financial and management support to these initiatives
Monitoring, evaluation and audits of water and sanitation services and initiatives
Gender Equality
At DP-360, we believe that gender equality is necessarily a human rights issue and crucial for holistic and sustainable development of a society. Gender equality must entail equitable say in and access to social issues, law and legal matters, religious issues, health, education, employment – including equal pay for equal work – and all aspects and walks of personal and professional life.
Our approach to interventions targeted at promoting Gender Equality:
DP-360 specializes in providing technical assistance to governments, political organizations and private institutions in establishing gender equality through the following interventions:
Formulating and establishing legal provisions
Conceptualizing and executing advocacy, awareness and communication
Developing, institutionalizing and monitoring initiatives preventing female feticide
Promoting economic empowerment of women
Ensuring educational empowerment of women
Establishing policies at workplace ensuring safe work environment for women
Institutionalizing gender sensitive initiatives in refugee camps and displaced populations
GBB (Gender Balanced Budgeting): providing special technical expertise to institutions (public and private) in ensuring GBB (as promoted by UNIFEM, 2001) through research, policy analysis, policy design advocacy, awareness, training and monitoring
Poverty Eradication – Microfinance
Microfinance is a viable alternative with proven efficacy entailing access to finance services for micro-enterprises and small businesses, which usually lack passage to general market financial services like banks due to high transaction costs and service fees. Microfinance is the ideal financing mechanism to ensure sustained growth of micro business ventures, especially in a developing setup with scarce financial resources. We at, DP-360 consider microfinance as one of the best options to achieve poverty eradication.
Our approach to microfinance:
We at DP-360 believe that microfinance is not limited to credit but establishing other services like savings, insurance and fund transfers. We consider the following elements and interventions while assisting financial institutions in establishing microfinancing services:
Microcredit: ensuring access to financial services at a reduced interest rate for the poor
Insurance: easy access to general and emergency purpose insurance services
Financing lifecycle needs: to cover childbirth, education, weddings, homebuilding, old age and deaths
Investment opportunities: facilitate investments in fluid and fixed investments
Financing as a means to attain social equity and poverty eradication
Revolving fund mechanism
Global Fund Portfolio
Local Fund Agent (LFA) Consultations:
The Global Fund, in line with its performance based funding, appoints an LFA in each country to manage grant implementation (for HIV, TB and malaria) by the principal and sub-recipients in the country and also undertake periodic review of grant performance. DP-360 provides onsite and off site technical support to the LFAs, through its team of experts, in the areas of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) and procurement and supply management (PSM):
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E): We support the Local Funding Agents (LFAs) in the following specific activities under M&E.
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On-Site Data Verification (OSDV): Verification of input, process, output and outcome indicators as agreed upon in the performance framework signed by the principal recipient (PR) with the Global Fund while receiving the grant, including verification of reported performance.
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Principal Recipient (PR) assessment: this activity is usually undertaken before the signing of the grant between the PR and the Global Fund entailing an assessment of the existing M&E systems and capacity of the PR with respect to its ability to optimally utilize the Global Fund grants for all the activities and deliverables it has envisaged for the HIV, TB and malaria programs. Such PR assessments can be undertaken at any stage of the grant implementation, as mandated by the Global Fund
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MESS (Monitoring and Evaluation System Strengthening) Tool: The principal recipient is required to conduct this exercise using the framework provided by the Global Fund to ensure strengthening of its M&E systems by coordinating with the M&E plans and systems of other partners working in the three disease (HIV, TB and malaria) areas in the country
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Phase 2 review: Request for Continued funding (RCF): The Global Fund grant is typically for a period of 5 years, divided into phase 1 (2 years) and phase 2 (3 years). Global Fund financing mechanism follows the principle of performance based funding (PBF). A review of the grant implementation is undertaken at the end of phase 1 and based on the performance and utilization of funds in phase 1, the amount to be disbursed in phase 2 is adjusted accordingly. Phase 2 review entails at looking at the entire program components – indicators, quality of service delivery, data collection and analyses systems – funded by the Global Fund, being implemented by the PR
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RSQA (Rapid Service Quality Assessment): RSQA is usually carried out in conjunction with the On-Site Data Verification (OSDV). Its main objective is to assess and improve quality of services at country level, and to continuously build capacity in establishing and using quality improvement as an integral part of program implementation. More specifically, the RSQA appraises whether health services are implemented according to internationally recognized and evidence-based technical policies and guidelines. The RSQA tool consists of an assessment at two different levels:
The central / policy level – assesses the availability of national disease program policies and guidelines for the Service Delivery Areas funded by the Global Fund, and whether these are in line with latest international recommendations relevant to the prevention and treatment of HIV, TB and malaria, e.g. the WHO recommendations
The facility level – assesses compliance of service delivery under the Service Delivery Areas funded by the Global Fund with nationally defined standards
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Budget review of M&E plan: Entails reviewing the M&E budget components and assess whether the allocated budget is sufficient, under or over quoted for the M&E activities proposed
Procurement and supply management (PSM): We provide support to LFAs in the following specific PSM activities.
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Principal Recipient (PR) assessment: this activity is usually undertaken before the signing of the grant between the PR and the Global Fund and is similar to such assessment undertaken for M&E (as described above). The capacity of the PR for undertaking transparent and appropriate procurement, complying with national and international standards is assessed. Existing procurement plan is evaluated and suitable changes suggested. The supply chain management capacity, from central to the most peripheral level, of the PR to manage the pharmaceuticals, equipment and logistics procured from the Global Fund grant is assessed. PSM costs normally constitute 30 – 60 % of the grant and so an assessment of the PSM capacity is crucial
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Budget review of PSM plan: Entails reviewing the PSM budget components and assess whether the allocated procurement and supply chain management budget is sufficient, under or over quoted for the proposed activities
Office of Inspector General (OIG): OIG conducts audits and diagnostic reviews of Global Fund (GF) grants in the recipient countries based on ‘red flags’ raised by the Local Fund Agents (LFAs) and those identified by GF. Audits look at the entire grant implementation by the recipient across all the three diseases – HIV, TB and Malaria. The following experts typically conduct OIG audits:
Finance experts and a team of finance consultants
Public health and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) expert(s)
Procurement and supply management (PSM) expert
Diagnostic reviews are undertaken by OIG for specific areas of implementation where problems have been observed, e.g. procurement of drugs and equipment etc. and are undertaken by domain experts in the concerned area. Audits and diagnostic reviews missions have both in-country and off-site components and a Team Leader from OIG leads and guides the experts in these missions.
DP-360 experts have provided support to OIG in diagnostic reviews and audits across Central Asia, Africa and Latin America and are proficient in concise and crisp report writing as mandated by OIG.
