Action Plan Skills Building:
Module 4
Implementing and Evaluating
the Action Plan
January 2013
Action Plan Skills Building Workshop
Module 1:
Getting Started
Module 2:
Defining Purpose and
Scope
Module 3:
Planning the Details
Module 4:
Implementing and
Evaluating
2
Learning Objectives
Strengthen skills to:
Market the action plan
Secure resources
Take the necessary steps to ensure successful
implementation
3
Outline
Obtaining high-level commitment
Implementing activities and monitoring and evaluation
4
Obtaining high-level commitment
Commitment & approval at national high-level:
general and/or specific
needs to be obtained at various stages of the action plan
development process
may take the form of written agreements, ministerial
directives, legislative amendments, etc.
Can be followed by external high level commitment
5
Assessing Potential Bottlenecks to
Commitment
Obstacles or bottlenecks could include:
Competing priorities that might threaten support for the AP
a lack of awareness about the topic or issue
contradictory or duplicative mandates (or lack of a mandate)
related to the AP
6
Raising Awareness of Benefits of Taking
Action
Communicate AP intentions to those who have decision making
power
AP itself can provide good overview of the benefits
Link to other national priorities (e.g. national development plan)
Tailor to specific audiences, e.g. one-page summary specifically
for busy decision makers
7
Example: Ministerial Briefing Notes
Briefing notes should include:
a succinct statement of the
case or issue
essential background
information, current status
recommendations made or
directions sought, if any
8
TITLE
DATE
ISSUE
•
xxxc xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxx xx xx
xxx xx xx xx x xxx xx xxx.
BACKGROUND
•
xxxc xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxx xx xx
xxx xx xx xx x xxx xx xxx.
STATUS
•
xxxc xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxx xx xx
xxx xx xx xx x xxx xx xxx. xxxc xxxx xx xxxx xxxx
xxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxx xx xx xxx xx xx xx x xxx xx
xxx.
RECOMMENDATION
•
xxxc xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxx xx xx
xxx xx xx xx x xxx xx xxx.
•
xxxc xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxx xx xx
xxx xx xx xx x xxx xx xxx.
ACTION OR DECISION RECOMMENDED
•
xxxc xxxx xx xxxx xxxx xxxx xxx xxx xx xxxxxx xx
•
xx xxx xx xx xx x xxx xx xxx.
Name, title, and telephone number, signature
Securing Adequate Human and Financial
Resources
Resources are essential for implementation
“In-kind” and national resources are essential contributors
AP’s value will be evaluated against other competing national
requirements
Relate AP to other essential or high priority national activities
such as sustainable development
Stress that the benefits outweigh the costs
9
Implementing Planned Activities
Having gained approval and support for the action plan, initiate
implementation, e.g.:
Select project team leader & team members
Initial team meeting to agree process
Are sub-groups necessary? e.g. for stockpile disposal,
reduction of emissions, etc.
Prepare “inception” or “start-up” document to summarise
goal, objectives and major activities, as well as list of
participants
10
Monitoring and Evaluation
Monitoring the implementation phase helps to ensure that the AP
is on schedule
Has each milestone been met according to schedule?
Have certain activities been more challenging than expected and did
this affect the quality?
Are there times where the estimated costs have exceeded
expectations?
11
Monitoring and Evaluation (cont.)
Evaluate from time to time attainment of objectives (goal)
if indicators met, safe to say objectives being achieved
if indicators demonstrate certain objectives not met, assess
what went wrong, revise action plan
12
Monitoring and Evaluation: Three Important Steps
1. Measure Progress
• against milestones, the planned schedule, budget, etc
• evaluate effectiveness based on indicators
2. Analyse the situation
• to determine cause of any positive or negative deviations
3. Determine necessary action, modifications...adjust AP if necessary
13
AP Progress Reports and Final Report
Provides “history” and “feedback” for future action
Purpose and scope of the AP
Progress or evaluation (using milestones, indicators, etc.)
Deviations from the initial AP (quality, time, cost, etc.)?
Are/were the expenditures according to plan?
Lessons learnt for further actions?
Conclusions (including any reports/publications)
14
AP Skills Building Guidelines
Mod 1. Getting Started: Preparatory Tasks and
Considerations
Mod 2. Defining Action Plan Purpose and Scope
• Establishing the Problem Statement & Goal
• Conducting a Situation and Gap Analysis
• Setting Objectives and Indicators
Mod 3. Planning the Details: Activities, Timelines,
Resources, and More…
Mod 4. Implementing and Evaluating the Action Plan
• Obtaining Commitment
• Implementing Activities and Monitoring and Evaluation
15
Thank you
Chemicals and Waste Management
Programme
United Nations Institute for Training
and Research (UNITAR)
Palais des Nations
1211 Geneva 10
Tel: +41 22 917 1234
Fax: +41 22 917 8047
Email: [email protected]