Measuring our Mission - Mission (Im)possible?

This 6-page report by McKinsey has some excellent examples of how some large non-profits have got round the challenges of how to measure progress towards fulfilling their mission. You do have to sign up to read the full article, but it only takes a couple of seconds and is well worth it. The article takes the Nature Conservancy as an example of an agency that had two macro-level indicators (revenue generated and increased number of protected habitats) until they realised that neither of these indicators were telling them whether they were making progress towards the real heart of their mission which was increasing biodiversity. The authors claim there are three critical performance metrics needed by an organization:- success in raising resources, staff effectiveness and progress toward its mission fulfillment, with the last being the hardest to measure. They outline three ways of mission measurement: 1) through narrow definitions of success, through research, or through proxy indicators. They draw examples from several organizations which is useful and thought provoking.

Why the cylone in Myanmar was so deadly

National Geographic is running Michael Casey’s analysis here on why the recent cyclone was so devastating. It’s an interesting read, and highlights a number of factors including a lack of risk reduction and planning, poor response, possible climate change factors, and plain bad luck.

The rise and fall of globalized industrial agriculture

The International Forum on Globalization went to press with their report The Rise and Predictable Fall of Globalized Industrial Agriculture last year, but the analysis they present is particularly pertinent as we try to understand the current global food crisis.

The surprisingly readable report first unpacks the massive shift in ownership of agricultural processes (from seeds and agricultural imports
to control of markets and food transport systems), and the role of global organizations and structures.

More importantly, it proposes a raft of alternative agricultural approaches that emphasize local production and food sovereignty, biodiversity and sustainable farming practices. It’s both an insightful read on the current issues, and a guide to potential paths out of the situation we’re in.

Food shortages - how will we feed the world?

Britain’s Daily Telegraph is carrying an interesting article on the current world food shortage here (unfortunately also here and here, thanks to stupid click throughs). They address the questions of why prices are rising, who will be most affected, and what we can do about it. Interestingly genetic modification and biotechnology are not a large part of their proposals, although biofuels do take a topical beating (with the need to make them sensible, rather than politically expedient, sources emphasized).

Making existing technologies more available to small scale farmers (who till one third of the world’s soil) is a large part of their ‘multi functional’ agriculture prescription.

Unintended consequences of Climate Change…more execution of ‘witches’?

This opinion piece from the New York Times speculates about some of the possible unintended negative consequences of climate change, taking the example of how people are often used as scapegoats in many cultures when weather patterns are unfavorable. The author pulls several historical examples of patterns relating to increased executions of elderly women as witches in Europe  as well as current examples in Africa, that appeared to correlate to the weather. Although not scientific I found this article thought-provoking. So much of the thinking around climate change relates to immediate weather-related impacts. We haven’t even begun to think about all the broader ramifications around it. Maybe we should….

Measuring Your Mission - Is it Possible?

Any of us interested in the complexities, challenges and successes of macro-level measurement that tells us at an agency level whether we are making progress (or not) towards achieving our mission, should check out The Bridgespan Group. This non-profit consulting group helps agencies get closer to results measurement in a number of different ways. Although their focus is US domestic agencies, the papers that they have published are relevant to those of us in the international humanitarian field. In particular I liked a study entitled Great Valley Center: A Case Study in Measuring for Mission that talks about how they helped the Great Valley Center start to measure it’s results at the macro level. Interestingly, a recent study by the Independent Sector identified that nearly 60% of the nonprofits surveyed said that the results of at least some of their programs were too intangible to measure. Now that sounds familiar!!! Even if you aren’t interested in the specifics of the case, the generic challenges and potential solutions outlined are (I think) applicable to all of us.