'Composite' models of project management : integration of control-oriented and adaptive approaches in rural water supply

Abstract

This thesis explores the case of an International Development Association (IDA) assisted rural water supply and sanitation project in Azad Jammu & Kashmir, Pakistan, to raise some important questions about how donor-assisted projects are administered in developing countries. The paper analyzes some unusual findings from the project related to issues of central control (both by donors and the implementing public agency), institutional learning, project innovations, and political involvement in development projects. Typically, development projects are characterized by highly inflexible project rules, lack of interaction between senior and junior staff, inadequate cooperation amongst technical and community mobilization staff, and widespread political interference, all of which are perceived to be impediments to project success. The IDA project recognized these problems and instituted several important project innovations to overcome them. This case provides evidence from the field to justify these claims and concludes with recommendations for future development research.