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Pain or Gain? The Logical Framework in international development projects - Exploring experiences of development practitioners in Sweden

Mocanu, Alexandru LU (2021) MIDM19 20211
Department of Human Geography
LUMID International Master programme in applied International Development and Management
Abstract
The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) has been a prevailing project management tool in the international development sector for decades, largely driven by donors. However, few studies have analysed its use from the practitioner perspective. The few studies done on the topic flag several issues with LFA, and some also suggest alternatives. Sweden is a leading actor in the development aid sector, and the Swedish donor community has lately relaxed their LFA requirement, allowing implementing agencies to decide their own approach. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design with semi-structured interviews of development practitioners in Sweden, this study shows that LFA is still habitually used in Sweden. Although alternatives such as... (More)
The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) has been a prevailing project management tool in the international development sector for decades, largely driven by donors. However, few studies have analysed its use from the practitioner perspective. The few studies done on the topic flag several issues with LFA, and some also suggest alternatives. Sweden is a leading actor in the development aid sector, and the Swedish donor community has lately relaxed their LFA requirement, allowing implementing agencies to decide their own approach. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design with semi-structured interviews of development practitioners in Sweden, this study shows that LFA is still habitually used in Sweden. Although alternatives such as Outcome Mapping and Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation are being tried, efforts to explore other options are still timid compared to the established practice of using LFA. At the same time, the study shows that there are attempts in Sweden to rather adapt the LFA in a way to facilitate its improved use, or to combine it with some suggested alternatives to make up for its deficiencies. The study also finds that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may have brought its share of contribution towards adapting the use of LFA. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Mocanu, Alexandru LU
supervisor
organization
course
MIDM19 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
keywords
Logical Framework Approach (LFA), Project Cycle Management (PCM), Results Based Management (RBM), Development Projects, Adaptation, Covid-19
language
English
id
9044067
date added to LUP
2021-06-21 10:30:24
date last changed
2021-06-21 10:30:24
@misc{9044067,
  abstract     = {{The Logical Framework Approach (LFA) has been a prevailing project management tool in the international development sector for decades, largely driven by donors. However, few studies have analysed its use from the practitioner perspective. The few studies done on the topic flag several issues with LFA, and some also suggest alternatives. Sweden is a leading actor in the development aid sector, and the Swedish donor community has lately relaxed their LFA requirement, allowing implementing agencies to decide their own approach. Using a qualitative phenomenological research design with semi-structured interviews of development practitioners in Sweden, this study shows that LFA is still habitually used in Sweden. Although alternatives such as Outcome Mapping and Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation are being tried, efforts to explore other options are still timid compared to the established practice of using LFA. At the same time, the study shows that there are attempts in Sweden to rather adapt the LFA in a way to facilitate its improved use, or to combine it with some suggested alternatives to make up for its deficiencies. The study also finds that the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic may have brought its share of contribution towards adapting the use of LFA.}},
  author       = {{Mocanu, Alexandru}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  title        = {{Pain or Gain? The Logical Framework in international development projects - Exploring experiences of development practitioners in Sweden}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}