Management Functions

Strategic Planning
DP-360 envisages strategic planning as an endeavor to link organizations activities to its mission and goals. It is also a measure to assess whether an organization is on a path to realization of its mission. It is often seen that organizations are so preoccupied with immediate issues that they lose sight of their ultimate goals, thus making strategic planning a virtual necessity. Strategic planning is distinct from business and operational planning; rather it is a foundation to these.

At DP-360, we believe that a strategic plan serves as a framework for decisions, provides a basis for detailed planning, elucidates the business to others in order to motivate & involve, assists benchmarking & performance monitoring and becomes a building block for growth.

Strategic planning, to be successful, has to be:

• Strategic – unambiguous view of the sustainability issues with the competency area of the organization and accordingly plan for the activities
• Technically sound – basic concepts associated with the organizations work are based on scientific and evidence based principles
• Relying on a systemic approach – to support decision making targeting complexities of any situation
• Defined and systematic – incorporating fundamentals of system functioning, sustainability, strategic decision making, focused actions and relevant management functions
• Evidence based (Proof of Concept) – concepts are based on time-tested theories in the field
• Advocating creativity – encourage possibilities within the limits of a framework

Our Approach to Strategic Planning:

DP-360 stresses that for developing a sound strategic plan, an in-depth assessment of past performance by the organization and if it is a new organization, it is important to look at the strategies of similar organizations and also a review of the space where the organization is planning to work. While undertaking strategic planning, DP-360 abides by the following:

• Relate to immediate, mid and long term goals of the organization
• Support the management of the organization in drawing the plan
• Identify matters of strategic importance
• Demarcate the strategic plan from operational aspects
• Ensure that the plan is practical and feasible
• Incorporate periodic review of the plan as a crucial aspect in planning

- 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

- 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

- Impact: Long term effect and consequence of achieving outcomes.

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 in global health / public health are cornerstones of success for any development initiative. Partnerships can be between two entities or multiple agencies – based on the type of agencies the partnerships can be broadly categorized into public-private partnerships, private-private partnerships and public-public partnerships.

Our approach to global health partnerships:

• 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.

Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is integral to the efficiency and effectiveness of any development project and at DP-360 we believe that M&E systems are crucial to good governance. M&E can be conducted at project, program and policy level. Evidence suggests that projects / programs with strong M&E components tend to stay on track towards attaining the expected results. M&E systems help in identifying key drivers enabling successful, sustained and scaled-up development initiatives, alternative options and comparative advantages of specific interventions to others.

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:

• Monitoring of resources; monitoring of finances, logistics and supply chain
• Monitoring of activities and processes
• 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:

• Performance evaluations
• Impact evaluations
• 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. Following is a simple depiction of a typical M&E system for a development project.  

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
• Executing, guiding and documenting routine monitoring
• Planning and undertaking evaluations
• Performance evaluations
• Impact assessments
• Audits
• Inspections
• 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
• Leadership
• Partnerships and stakeholders
• Management controls
• Institutional arrangements, including roles, responsibilities and accountability
• Existing M&E policies and systems
• Overall (organizational / national) policy context for M&E
• Operational context for M&E
• Gaps and challenges in the systems and operationalization of the existing M&E
• Methodological limitations
• M&E priorities
• Knowledge and management information systems (MIS)
• Data collection, analysis, documentation and reporting systems
• Accountability measures and systems
• Beneficiaries targeted
• Intended audience and uses
• 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 in this area, include:

Procurement

• Developing and institutionalizing a procurement plan
• Support in operationalization:
• Identifying the need
• Ensuring just-in-time procurement
• Finalizing the type of procurement
• Establishing and guiding the bidding process
• Contract management
• Quality check and assurance
• Human resources

Supply chain management

• Establishing a comprehensive supply chain management plan
• Support in operationalization:
• Storage and inventory management
• Logistic management information system (LMIS)
• Distribution of commodities
• Measures to avert stockouts, overstocking and expiry
• 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.

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
• Manufacturing hazards
• Chemical hazards
• Biological hazards
• Radiation hazards
• Environmental assessment: air, water and general environment
• Ergonomical hazards
• Psychological and social hazards
• 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
• 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

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:
• Determining the gaps in safe drinking water and sanitation facilities
• 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
• Establishing and sponsoring initiatives
• Assisting in expansion and scaling up of the interventions
• 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