Strategic thinking by non-government organisations for sustainability : a review of the logical framework approach
Date
2009-03
Authors
Muspratt-Williams, Angela
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Stellenbosch : University of Stellenbosch
Abstract
The awareness of the environmental crisis and the impact of rising poverty
globally has led to the search for sustainable solutions. The United Nations
Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) describe the solution as a secure
peaceful world, a healthier environment and a better quality of life for all. Nongovernmental
organisations (NGOs) are important development actors in
realising this goal. They work within civil society and focus on the
empowerment of the vulnerable and marginalised through the transfer of
skills, resources and power. Their flexibility, commitment to social justice and
strong relationships with the community allow NGOs to develop creative
responses, developing new models for sustainable solutions.
A weakness of NGOs is the inability to provide reliable evidence of the effect,
or impact, of programmes and their contribution towards a better society.
Further the reliance on donor funding can change the focus of accountability
from the beneficiaries to donors and stakeholders. The study is based in the
given reality that NGOs are required to adopt a more strategic outcomes
orientated approach to programme and project planning to be able to measure
the impact of services to improve the effectiveness of services and prove their
added value to society. This is most often done through the Logical
Framework Approach (LFA) as a planning model, as many governments,
multilateral aid agencies and donors use this model to develop policies and
determine funding priorities. This study therefore gives an overview of the
literature regarding the principles, benefits and challenges of the LFA from
various sources. These are considered within the diverse and complex
development context and how the complexity affects the use of this tool in
planning, monitoring and evaluation.
The LFA is based on the Management by Objectives model. The LFA
provides a relatively objective, systematic and thoughtful guide to project
planning which enables organisations to measure their progress in realising
goals. The visually accessible log frame explains how the use of resources
will contribute towards reaching the goal. It enables the organisation to
present their projects to a wider audience increasing its accountability to
donors, stakeholders and beneficiaries.
Yet, organisations are often very critical of the use of the Logical Framework
Approach as it assumes that society is a stable environment where factors
can be manipulated to bring about expected results. It ignores the dynamic,
complex and frequently unpredictable nature of society and the non-linear
path of social learning and empowerment. Further the model can be misused
and exploited to enforce power relationships resulting in the development of
inappropriate or irrelevant projects that do not meet the needs of the intended
beneficiaries.
The study concludes that, despite all the criticisms, the Logical Framework
Approach can be a very useful tool and provides recommendations that will
help find a balance between the structured planning process and the
participative and creative social learning techniques. NGOs can be focussed and accountable and still remain more responsive to the needs of
communities.
Description
Thesis (MPhil (Sustainable Development Planning and Management))--University of Stellenbosch, 2009.
Keywords
Sustainable development -- South Africa, Strategic planning -- South Africa, Management of nonprofit organizations -- South Africa, Dissertations -- Public management and planning, Theses -- Public management and planning