INPULSE proposal for Capacity Development Learning system for Local Content

Brief description In the context of RFP Local Content Consulting Services: Capacity development, this methodology is intended to enhance initiative performance through the identification, capture, validation, and transfer of knowledge by building a learning system at the initiatives level. A common platform will be created for capturing and organizing all the knowledge produced by the initiatives so that all the stakeholders will have easy access to it. Such a platform will not only inform the progress towards the achievement of the initiative results and improve its performance, but it will also inform Chevron's future initiatives and the CDC re-engagement opportunities with the country. Programme period: 2012-2014 Total resource required: 150,000

1.

Situation analysis

There are several challenges facing knowledge management related to initiatives on local content consulting in developing countries. In particular, there is no learning system whereby knowledge produced by the initiative during implementation is captured and disseminated to the relevant stakeholders. In the case of initiative 3a, 3b and 3c, this problem is even more pressing as the initiative should consider several problems that affect implementation related to technical difficulties and the political situation. Learning from good practices, building on what has been achieved and ultimately learning from what has been done so far is of utmost importance for improving the initiatives performance and reaching the beneficiaries. As of now, the initiatives do not have an external web presence and the public sector initiative files related to the initiatives are difficult to find. This might hinder access to related documents, networks and limits tracking the initiatives on-going achievements. From a review of initiative documents and future surveys with initiative stakeholders, the following 4 major knowledge management problems seem will affect initiative performance on the ground:

Data fragmentation: Even though there are many documents, reports, surveys related to the initiative, this information is not contained in one repository. Several stakeholders complain about the difficulty to find the initiative documents they are looking for and the initiative file does not seem to be an appropriate tool for accessing information in a friendly manner. Lack of knowledge capturing: The initiatives states that there are significant gaps in the O&G supplier base in the country, coupled with knowledge gaps. Here is a lack of understanding and best practices in the quality management, HES, O&G Standards, proposed\bid writing. Additionally there are general deficiencies in business professionalism aspects including: accounting, human resources, operations, invoicing, business strategy\planning, etc. Moreover, discussions with Government, other private sector counter parts and stakeholders can be properly recorded to document official supervision missions but they are not designed to document regular (if not daily) dialogue with Government and CSO. Lack of sharing and disseminating knowledge: Chevrons initiatives implementation report underlines that central and local governments will have higher local content

expectations. In this process, stakeholders from both the private, public and citizen sector will be demanding not only local content but also learning from global leadership in social accountability. Lack of a knowledge feedback mechanism: as of now stakeholders outside the Chevron cannot access initiative information so that they cannot provide timely feedback given the lack of a common platform.

What all the problems implicitly indicate is the lack of a learning system at initiative level capable of capturing all the information produced by the initiative, structure it and disseminate to the relevant stakeholders so as to build a feedback mechanism that would at last improve initiative performance.

2. Work Plan (technical solution) A common platform will be built to encourage on-going learning during initiative implementation. Rather than being a mere website, the platform is intended to be an intelligent infrastructure that rationalizes, organizes, and sustains significant data and information. To overcome the above-mentioned challenges, the platform will feature the following:

Common repository: All the documents and information will be organized and made accessible in one digital repository, completely in the control of the stakeholders and government administration. Knowledge capture: A clean, straightforward website will provide an interactive platform for all stakeholders and government administration to share and discuss all information captured around the initiative. Social interactive tools: A social interactive tool will facilitate the knowledge sharing among communities and common citizens while providing communication analysis faster, interactive and efficient for the stakeholders. Feedback and rating system: Functioning as an on-line round table, the platform will allow stakeholders to monitor initiative items in real-time and provide feedback so as to accelerate problem solving and decision-making. Moreover, the platform will enable stakeholders to use tools to rate initiative content files and web pages, with a simple thumps up and thumbs down rating system. As initiative expands, a rating system will allow users to maintain more refined data (knowledge, etc) that is current and relevant to the initiative.

The following diagram illustrates how the platform will improve communication, data exchange and feedback among stakeholders.

3. Process and timetable The process of developing the learning system will be composed of 3 phases: Phase 1 - Planning: Ethnographic techniques and qualitative analysis will be used to gain understanding of behaviors, opportunities, and capacities of future users of the platform. Process field research and analysis will be conducted to understand challenges among communities and stakeholders. Planning will be performed with schedules, budgets, and by the processes defined and implemented, and to prevent the waste of excess of time and resources. Planning outcomes:

1. Collect content through questionnaires and surveys. A report of the design solution that
covers the data collected, info diagrams of investigation outcomes, and initial website screen-shots will be produced. 2. Create diagrams and screenshots that explain the process of implementation. After a phase of verification and validation of said diagrams, screenshots and learning system plan, an initial usable prototype for the initiative website will be delivered.

3. Identify community and stakeholders engagement strategies. After preliminary user

studies with communities and stakeholders, a finished prototype will be delivered. Deliverable: Planning of the Learning System report and a first usable prototype Cost: $10,000 Timeline: 3 months Team: INPULSE1 consultants Phase 2 - Design and Testing: A range of services, programs, and technological solutions will be developed (including the realization of websites) according to the requirements identified in the planning phase. Each requirement is evaluated against real-world opportunities and constraints, and the most promising are prototyped, tested, and refined until they successfully address the challenge at hand. Stakeholders will advise throughout the process so as to create buy-ins and shared ownership at all levels. Design outcomes:

1. Design workshops 2. Service and program blueprints 3. Functional prototype implementation

Deliverable: Design of the Learning System Cost: $40,000 Timeline: 6 months Team: INPULSE consultants, Acquia2 consultants Phase 3 - Implementation: With local knowledge and expertise, a functional system and technology will be built to fit the initiative requirements identified in (1) the Planning phase and verify the efficiency tested in (2) the Design phase. Stronger connections with communities and clients will be facilitated throughout the process to improve execution. Implementation outcomes:

1. Technical implementation and delivery of the Learning system platform 2. Implementation of Monitoring and evaluation tools 3. Training workshop for the maintenance of the system
Deliverable: Implementation of the Learning System Cost: $100,000 Timeline: 10 months Team: INPULSE consultants, Acquia consultants, Development Seed3 developers
1 INPULSE

is a team of knowledge architects based in Boston and Washington, DC. The following link lists some of the initiatives INPULSE has been working on: http://mentors.inpulse.org/programs/list 2 Acquia is a commercial open source software company providing products, services, and technical support for the open source Drupal social publishing system. 3 Development Seed is a creative data visualization and mapping team based in Washington, DC.

4. Benefits
Overall, building such a platform will at last improve initiative performance. In particular, the platform will have the following benefits:

Improved communication and access to information: Communication among stakeholders will be facilitated so as to have a continuous flow of information that is upto-date and reliable. The platform will support Chevrons global efforts to get visibility and collaboration with local supplier market. Improved monitoring: Monitoring the initiative and keeping track of its progress (or lack of it) will be facilitated by enabling stakeholders to access initiative information and provide feedback accordingly. Such a system will also better enable citizens to participate in the local content consulting services in an active manner. Improved performance: The feedback mechanism will make sure that the initiative is on track and that stakeholders provide timely reactions regarding its implementation. Increased visibility: Chevron will have a greater visibility among private local suppliers, public sector and citizens in the country of focus, as they will be better able to understand what the initiative has achieved so far. Increased trust: Improved communication and increased visibility of the initiative will contribute to increasing trust among stakeholders, above all, between the Chevron and other stakeholders including suppliers, citizens and the government.

5. Risks and mitigation measures

R - Maintaining and accessing the platform. M - The platform and system will be made user friendly and will require little maintenance. Training sessions for the staff in charge of maintaining the system are also foreseen. Stakeholders and the initiative team will easily access and customize the data entries.

R - Problems related to data storage and server. M - INPULSE has a collaboration with Acquia that provides server hosting and maintenance, which ensures complete freedom for the initiative team to transfer data and features independently. Acquia installs an online infrastructure that is professionally managed and uses open-source technology. Acquia already maintains host services of some the exclusive websites of White House, Al Jazeera, World Bank. Etc.

R - Low-tech capability of developing country users. M - Creating a pilot prototype and testing with the users will be done as part of the planning system so as to understand their needs and test their capacity.

6. Monitoring & Evaluation (Draft)

M&E framework will be conducted in six steps: 1) Step One Participatory Programme Logic Planning

2) Step Two Filling in the Logical Framework a. b. c. d. Insert all inputs into the log frame Establish indicators for all outputs, outcomes, objectives and goal(s) Goal Indicators i. Number of community members reached ii. Improvement in community members knowledge on (exp. Waste) iii. Improvement in number of people welders graduated iv. Improvement in the number of people finding a Job v. Increase in hires vi. Reduction in unemployment e. Ascertain all indicators have a means of verification (MoV) f. Insert a time line for the collection of each indicators and persons responsible. g. Based on programme logic discussion, consider all assumptions to programmes success. 3) 4) 5) 6) Step 3 -Data Tool Collection Guide Step 4 Reviewing Revising and Reporting Plan Step 5 Documentation and Dissemination Plan Step 6 M&E Plan (summary)