USAID: Collaborating, learning and adapting

Challenge

Development organisations often assume linear progress from agendas towards pre-defined goals. Within the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), a systematic disconnect had been noted. Good practices in strategic collaboration, continuous learning and adaptive management existed across the organisation and its programmes, but were not standardised or codified in policy. The systematic application of Collaborating, Learning and Adapting (CLA) approaches enables USAID and its partners to be an effective learning organisation and thereby a more effective development organisation. USAID faced the challenge of integrating CLA both externally, with partners in projects; and internally within the organisation, to enable everyone to leverage existing guidance on CLA.

Approach

USAID’s approach to embedding CLA involved:

• A clear mandate: Evidence, compelling case studies and growing demand from USAID staff to work adaptively enabled them to secure continuous support from senior leadership for advancing CLA. Internal funding was set aside for activities and dedicated staff positions, including CLA/Learning Advisors, and to establish a team to integrate CLA across USAID’s programme cycle (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Collaborating, Learning and Adapting in the programme cycle

Source: USAID

• A culture of learning and collaboration: The USAID learning lab; the constant expansion of the CLA toolkit; annual case competitions; a visual framework; and external communication, such as a dedicated CLA webpage, grew a learning culture and complemented progress measurement indicators with concrete lessons from the field.

• Context: USAID adjusted its policy and guidance to support institutionalisation of CLA. This supported country-level innovations, including bringing a dedicated Learning Advisor on board to support CLA implementation in country missions and to keep learning and adapting high on the agenda.

• Collaboration: Setting up an internal Community of Practice on CLA encouraged peer support in country missions and collaborative feedback from local partners to strengthen local systems.

• Capacity: Training for USAID staff via the USAID University, both online and in person, boosts capacity in adaptive management and CLA. Measures are also being taken to preserve institutional memory.

Results

• Wide adoption of CLA across all stages of the USAID programme cycle: it has also been codified into guidance on activity design and implementation, procurement processes, drafting solicitations, portfolio reviews and Country Development Cooperation Strategy (CDCS) mid-course stocktaking, and monitoring and evaluation.

• A wealth of case studies showing the relevance and effectiveness of CLA: as evidenced by USAID country missions and implementing partners in the annual case competitions.

• Increased organisational learning: the adoption of CLA into core processes has significantly enhanced USAID’s organisational culture. A growing body of quantitative and qualitative evidence demonstrates that adaptive leadership and the open embrace of learning from failure improve an organisation’s ability to learn and adapt, with greater employee engagement, empowerment and satisfaction.

• Resources for learning and capacity building: In addition to the organisation-wide Community of Practice on CLA, the Learning Lab has launched and curated the CLA Toolkit, and developed several learning podcast series and self-paced training and courses.