THE SYNERGY MATRIXTAKING THE ANGST OUT OF ATTRIBUTIONJEFF COUTTS

ISSUEHow do you account for the different (and complementary) contributions of different programs, projects and initiatives?

THE 3 RINGS OF PROJECT INTERVENTION

INTERNAL PROJECT LEVELPROJECT Resources Management Process Activities

DIRECT IMPACT LEVEL

OTHER INTERVENTION INFLUENCES

OUTCOME LEVEL

OTHER CONTEXT INFLUENCES

SYNERGY MATRIXRecognises other programs, processes and initiativesExplored the niche of each value adding roleLooks at complementary and relationshipsEvaluates according to niche in overall impact areaAcknowledges that changes are a result of a range of programs, processes and initiatives

CASE STUDY 1 COTTON EXTENSIONIssues:Review of industry-funded extension positionsA perspective that they were no longer needed given the large number of private consultants in the industryIndustry was facing a crisis in terms of insect resistance.

MethodsIndividual and group interviews with the different groups (growers, researchers, consultants, extension).Constructed a synergy matrix.Tested the matrix.

The Synergy Matrix

ResultsMatrix tested against industry rang truePublic extension playing a critical role in addressing resistance issueCritical role understood and acceptedAppointed more industry extension staffAppointed national coordinator.

IT group unhappy with their positioning.

CASE STUDY 2 RURAL WATER USE EFFICIENCYIssues:Major cross-industry extension programCostly exercise on-farm workHow important was extension proving in relation to research and regulation?

MethodCase studiesReport analysisInterviews

Synergy Matrix as one of analytical tools

The Synergy Matrix

ResultsDifferent unique roles highlightedEvaluation focused on the niche for extension rather than the entire matrix

CASE STUDY 3 ACTION RESEARCH LAOSNew project attached to on-going projectDifferences between on-paper role and actual roleRoles changed over timeSensitivity by parent institutions about attribution

MethodsInterviews with project teams and observing agencies and informed personsUse of Synergy MatrixNegotiation around comparative weighting

The Synergy Matrix

Later in project

ResultsAcross projects agreement about different roles and outputs and how that varied over timeAble to evaluate project on effectiveness of its unique (and actual) niche rather on the project as a whole

Synergy matrix Range of competing/Complementary initiatives

Individual contribution overall impact

ABCDE1 contribution of2 each knowledge3 process needed to4 bring about change56

LEARNINGSAttribution doesnt need to be quantitativeThe synergy matrix is a powerful way of presenting findingsNegotiation is important between closely linked projectsRoles can change over time and can be mappedDefining comparative roles using a synergy matrix takes the angst out of attribution.