Managing for Development Results

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Action Plan on Managing for Development Results (2009-2011)

I. Introduction

  1. This paper proposes an Asian Development Bank (ADB) action plan for implementing the managing for development results (MfDR) agenda for 2009-2011 (box).[1] The proposed plan, which succeeds the last action plan of 2006-2008, supports ADB's commitment to increasing development effectiveness in the priority areas laid out in its long-term strategic framework 2008-2020 (Strategy 2020).[2] Greater focus on development results is even more critical as ADB expects to expand its operations substantially. The plan responds to the key challenges in mainstreaming the MfDR approach in ADB and its developing member countries (DMCs). It also fulfills ADB's commitment to shareholders to update its MfDR action plan based on assessments of progress.[3]

  2. The plan will guide ADB toward (i) improving support for MfDR capacity development in DMCs; (ii) further integrating a results-focused approach to managing the implementation of Strategy 2020 at the corporate, country, and project level; and (iii) sustaining partnerships with other development partners on selected MfDR initiatives.[4] ADB management is responsible for implementing the action plan. ADB's Results Management Unit (SPRU) in the Strategy and Policy Department (SPD) will coordinate its implementation. The plan's monitoring framework is in Appendix 1.
What is Managing for Development Results?

Managing for development results (MfDR) is an approach focused on development outcomes throughout the management cycle. MfDR enables informed decision-making by integrating a results focus across the four mutually-reinforcing core management functions:

  • defining outcomes and outputs with measurable indicators and time-bound targets, and agreeing on associated activities,
  • allocating resources to agreed activities,
  • implementing agreed activities and monitoring progress against targets, and
  • evaluating performance against targets.

Integral to effective MfDR is regular reporting to key stakeholders to increase accountability and promote learning.

Sources: About Managing for Development Results, and Asian Development Bank. 2006. An Introduction to Results Management. Manila.

Back to Action Plan Topics | Next Topic: Achievements and Challenges

[1] ADB adopted in 2004 its first MfDR action plan to mainstream MfDR into all operations.

[2] ADB. 2008. Strategy 2020: The Long-Term Strategic Framework of the Asian Development Bank 2008-2020. Manila.

[3] ADB management committed to updating the MfDR action plan during negotiations for the ninth replenishment of the Asian Development Fund, completed in 2008, and in the 2007 Development Effectiveness Review, submitted to the Board of Directors in 2008.

[4] The plan's key features were developed during a workshop on the MfDR action plan for ADB MfDR focal points in March 2009.