Research management in water for development research projects

This paper presents findings of a study into the role of management in the conduct of water for development research. It provides a definition of research management and describes the attributes of a good research manager. It further explores the ways in which research managers are selected and the shortcomings that flow from the present criteria for selection. The paper argues that given the current changes in the makeup of research groups and the tendency towards multidisciplinary research, there is an urgent need for research managers to undergo continuing professional development in traditional management skills to complement their scientific and academic disciplinary knowledge

Issues in research dissemination

The United Kingdom Department for International Development (DFID), runs a Knowledge and Research (KaR) programme in which it is recognised that knowledge generation and dissemination are key to the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals; a principle which is stated in several DFID documents including Target Strategy Papers (DFID, 2000). The DFID KaR programme is based in London and commissions research into development problems which cut across geographical boundaries. The DFID KaR is divided into four programmes: research into rural livelihoods; health and population; social development; and infrastructure and urban development. Each programme commissions its research separately through a number of ways including annual calls for proposals and some individually commissioned researches. Two of these programmes, Health and Population and Rural Livelihoods sub-contract their research management to various organisations. As a result, they both have a number of small sectoral research programmes. DFID commissioned the Water, Engineering and Development Centre (WEDC) of Loughborough University, and Information Training and Development (ITAD) in September 2001, to carry out an evaluation of the dissemination of outputs of its KaR programme. The aim of this paper is to highlight the main issues that arose out of this evaluation and discuss how these impact on research dissemination

Water and sanitation monitoring platforms: lessons learned from implementation

This book communicates the lessons learned from an ACP-EU water facility funded project, involving Civil Society in Strengthening inter-sectoral Monitoring of Developments in the Provision of Water Supply and Sanitation Service. The project implemented in Ghana, Mozambique and Nigeria, was proposed by the WHO /UNICEF Joint Monitoring Programme (JMP) and implemented under the supervision of UNICEF. The project adopted a working title of Water and Sanitation Monitoring Platform (WSMP)

Research management - A training course on research management activities and processes

Research management is the knowledge and principles that are essential for the head of a research project and the researchers on the project to effectively manage a research project. This course assumes that research projects are made up of consortia of partners implementing the projects. It highlights good research management practice especially that which is necessary to manage effectively EU-funded development research. Funding applications for EU development research have to conform to certain criteria. Further, the calls for research published by the EC often take a view about the type of research that is likely to deliver answers to the call’s broad question

Consumption practices and user perception of an emerging alternative drinking water option (sachet water) in Ibadan, Nigeria

Water utilities in Nigeria particularly in cities are unable to provide a safe supply of drinking water to the majority of residents. As a result, many city residents have come to rely upon sachet water as their sole source of drinking water. Though most sachet water consumers believe that it is safe, a few studies have shown that some sachet water does not conform with regulatory standards. Consumers are aware of the need for regulation of the sachet water industry especially in regard to assuring its quality. However, sachet water retailing practice can endanger public health and this risk is compounded by people’s consumption practices. Given the central role sachet water plays as a source of drinking water, there is need for proper regulation of the sub-sector and proper hygiene education for both consumers of sachet water and retail outlets

Knowledge management in development organisations: the learn@WELL experience

Academics, consultants and publishers are pouring out information, both online and hard-copy on knowledge management (KM). Only an experienced KM practitioner is able to sift fads from the applicable and transform that information into action. KM is essentially about managing people’s activity focused on improving organisational or network community of practice (CoP) knowledge sharing mechanisms and practices. This article introduces KM and describes how it is being introduced to WELL partners through the Learn@WELL KM module. The article provides the rationale for the module and describes the main activities within the module. An example of a KM plan is presented and a KM Do It Yourself kit (KM DIY kit) for NGOs is synthesised based upon our experience with the module thus far

Towards a framework for knowledge management in project management

Studies have shown that knowledge management is an enabler of organisational processes and helps achieve projected objectives. This paper investigated the role of knowledge management in enabling project management to achieve project objectives. Using relevant literature of project management the research identified project success, faster completion times, operational efficiency, innovation and generation of new knowledge as dominating project management expectations in the past ten years. The research decided to study the role of knowledge management in enabling project management achieve these five objectives. An analysis of the PM process as a knowledge generating process led to the formulation of a KM model for PM. Using a quantitative approach, data was sought from 1000 respondents out of a population of 10000 from 11 project management areas in 8 world regions in order to test the conceptual model in real world scenarios. The data gathered was analysed using quantitative analysis tools (SPSS) and techniques such as reliability, correlation and regression. Knowledge management was found to be a factor in speeding up project completion times. It was also linked to innovation, project success, operational efficiency and the generation of new knowledge. The CRAI model was linked to the five project outcomes selected by the study

The role of knowledge management in development projects

The paper investigates the role of knowledge management in enabling project success, innovation, completion times, operational efficiency and the generation of new knowledge in development projects. Four projects in Uganda, Nigeria, and Cote d'Ivoire were used as case studies. The objective was to explore the nature of knowledge management practices in these projects in order to see how they could be improved. The research found that knowledge management is a significant factor in speeding up completion times, achieving project success, innovation, operational efficiency and the generation of new knowledge. Knowledge sharing practices were identified within case studies and difficulties relating to managing knowledge generated during the project were highlighted

Self-supply: bridging the gap between household demand and community water supply?

This paper discusses rural water supply at grassroots level, and challenges the assumption that a community water supply facility is the only solution for rural water supply, especially in sparsely populated areas. A comparison is made between two water service models from case studies in Zambia: those with conventional communal water supplies and Self Supply models. Findings revealed that a Self Supply service could significantly reduce faecal contamination risk in water quality and deliver higher per capita water use and better convenience of access than conventional supply, yet its reliability regarding water source dry up requires to be monitored. A conventional community-based water service may not fulfil the households’ demand due to the nature of community ownership and the distance from household to a community water facility. Since the underlying service delivery models are different, an integrated approach is required for a rural water supply strategy and national policy

Spreading the word further: guidelines for disseminating development research

Getting research findings out to those who stand to benefit from them is now widely recognised as a crucial aspect of any research project. This book is a product of the second phase of a DFID-funded KaR project that is aimed at increasing the impact of research through improved dissemination of the research process and findings. It develops the ideas from phase one of the project Spreading the Word: Practical guidelines for research dissemination strategies (Saywell and Cotton, 1999). Based on in-depth consultation with Southern agencies about appropriate methods and formats by which to share information and knowledge relating to development research projects, this book provides dissemination checklists and guidelines. It also provides a useful overview of the issues and more specific advise for anyone engaged in development-related research, whether as contractors, practitioners or donors, at all stages of the project cycle. Getting research findings out to those who stand to benefit from them is now widely recognised as a crucial aspect of any research project. This book is a product of the second phase of a DFID-funded KaR project that is aimed at increasing the impact of research through improved dissemination of the research process and findings. It develops the ideas from phase one of the project 'Spreading the Word: Practical guidelines for research dissemination strategies' (Saywell and Cotton, 1999). Based on in-depth consultation with Southern agencies about appropriate methods and formats by which to share information and knowledge relating to development research projects, this book provides dissemination checklists and guidelines. It also provides a useful overview of the issues and more specific advise for anyone engaged in development-related research, whether as contractors, practitioners or donors, at all stages of the project cycle