Global award OTR-0085-O-3216 · 1984 · Foundation for the Peoples of the South Pacific, Inc.

Impact evaluations of 52 A.I.D. projects were statistically summarized under 64 categories by two independent coders. This report presents the summary's analysis and related impressions; it is noted that the selection of projects, all but 18 of which involved infrastructure, was non-random and that most of the variables were subjective judgments. The study's major weakness was the sparsity of data in the original reports. The analysis indicates that the majority of projects were successful but tended to have disappointing secondary impacts, e.g., a weakness in stimulating private sector development. On the other hand, the projects had very small social and environmental costs and tended to benefit the poor and reduce inequalities. Four key factors in project effectiveness were identified: good management, quality work force, strong demand for output, and good linkages to other agencies and the public. Weak demand produced the most embarrassing failures, suggesting the need for better project planning. Other important factors included a favorable macro context, adequate finances, favorable local values, and good maintenance; conditions related to the latter are explored. Parti

Source: DEC abstract, PN-AAQ-415 (1984). The source's own text.