The Impact of a Multi-Methodology Approach to Planning Development Projects on the Social Capital

of Decision Groups’ -

A CASE STUDY IN COLOMBIA

Juan Felipe Henao Piza

Warwick Business SchoolUniversity of Warwick

What is the presentation about?

It is about the creation of a decision framework (MCDA, Soft OR

tools, and a Sustainable framework), to plan social development

projects for poor communities (e.g. housing, water supply, energy

supply, small business support, among others,).

The aim is to see what are the benefits of combining such techniques

for a group of decision-makers.

I believe the combination of such tools can improve the social capital

of the decision group.

What is the problem about?MCDA are an important set of tools for planning social development

projects (i.e. evaluation and selection of projects).

Nonetheless, MCDA literature has been criticized for taking the

problems as given and provide little assistance to decision-makers (DMs)

on how structure the problems (Srivastava and Rehman, 2006).

MCDA schemes should be embedded in wider processes where stages

such as structure, design, evaluate and select would be equally

important for discussion (Belton and Stewart, 2002).

In addition, decision-groups must ensure to remain together and

work collectively towards common goals and objectives if they want

to achieve effective formulation and implementation of strategic

plans (e.g. Shipilov & Danis, 2006).

Therefore, DMs need alongside decision tools, tools that do not

harm, but instead facilitate the enhancement of their social capital

in order to achieve collective action.

Social capital within DGs is essential for strategic choice (Shipilov &

Danis, 2006).

What is the problem about?

Problem structuring methods (PSMs) is a group of tools created to

structure problems rather than “solving” them (Rosenhead & Mingers,

2002)

PSMs could be a good complement to structure MCDA problems

Multimethodologies (Mingers & Brocklesby, 1997).

However, few scientific literature have explored deeply this topic as well

as its benefits.

Nonetheless, different authors have claimed benefits for PSMs in an

individual basis, (Franco et al, 2007): participative, interactive, iterative,

adaptability, phased, non-linear, transparent, low-technology, learning,

among others.

What is the problem about?

Hypothesis

Base on the strengths of PSMs and MCDA, I believe a combination of

them can help decision groups: first, make sense and cope with

the all stages of planning social projects; and second, contribute to

enhance different aspects of the group’s bonding social capital.

Research QuestionCan MCDA and PSMs, combined in a Multimethodology fashion,

facilitate the structuring process of planning social development

projects, as well as contribute to the enhancement of the decision-

group’s bonding social capital? … if so, how and to what extent?

Key issues: Multimethodology & Social Capital

Material world

Social world

Personal world

People

Act

Emotions

Language

MCDA

??????

Bonding SC

Bridging SC

Research Methodology

Find one or two case studies (real-world problems) to

apply the multimethodology

Perform a qualitative assessment – (semi-structured

interviews)

Philosophical view point

(interpretivism – action research)

What are we looking for?

PSMs Benefits (Franco et al, 2007): participative, interactive, iterative, adaptability, phased, non- linear, transparent, low- technology, learning, among others

5 dimensions that shape Bonding social capital

Groups and networks;

Trust and Solidarity;

Collective Action and Cooperation;

Social Cohesion and Inclusion;

Information and Communication.

?

MM (MCDA & PSMs)

Techniques

SODA – Cognitive mapping

CATOWE – acronym CustomersActorsTransformation processWorldviewOwnersEnvironmental constraints.

Soft Systems Methodology – SSM (rich picture, CATWOE, conceptual models)

Operational activities

MCDA:Multi-Attribute Value Theory

Main Goal

Objectives Criteria

Goals

Issues or strategies

Options and facts

Sustainable framework

The Sustainable Livelihoods framework (trigger questions to focus on the poor)

The Multimethodology

AssessmentSSM & SL

Issues DecisionsAction

MCDA & SLAppreciationSODA- cognitive mapping &

SL

AnalysisAnalyse

SODA & SL

Problem focus and objectives

Creation of options and strategies

Assessment of options and

selection

Operational activities

SL

1 a

2 b

3 c

4 d 5 e

6 f

7 g

8 h

9 i10 j

11 k

12 l

13 m

14 Improve Physicalcapital

15 Improve Financialcapital16 Improve Natural

capital17 Improve Human

capital18 improve Social

capital

19 n 20 o 21 p 22 q23 r 24 s

25 t26 u

27 v

28 w

29 x

30 y31 z

Livelihood Outcomes

Livelihood Strategies

Potential Livelihood Options

What are the key issues and how they may impact upon the SL’s assets?

Clusters or areas of concern

Livelihood Assets or capitals

trigger questions for DMs

1 a

2 b

3 c

4 d 5 e

6 f

7 g

8 h

9 i10 j

11 k

12 l

13 m

14 Improve Physicalcapital

15 Improve Financialcapital16 Improve Natural

capital17 Improve Human

capital18 improve Social

capital

19 n 20 o 21 p 22 q23 r 24 s

25 t26 u

27 v

28 w

29 x

30 y31 z

Livelihood Outcomes

Livelihood Assets

2 3

2 4

Human Capital Number of children

attending school

Education

Criteria

Social Project

Options

CATWOE

Livelihood Strategy

Case Study: An Economic Intervention Programme in Moravia, Medellin (Colombia)

Moravia is a district where a group of very vulnerable families live in extremely poor conditions on top of an old municipal dump in Medellin, Colombia.The client is a Colombian NGO called Antioquia Presente

There are several

problems in Moravia:

Environmental, Social,

Economic, among others.

In consequence, the

Mayor of the city

declared a state of

emergency for Moravia.

Then, a reallocation

process is taking place.

Case study

Two applications of the Multimethodology approach

The aims of the intervention were :

I. Assist “the team of AP” to generate and evaluate

individual and collective business ideas for the

community of Moravia.

II. Support a decision-making process regarding the

allocation of donations and economic aids for a group

of victims affected by a conflagration occurred in El

Oasis, Moravia during the project time.

Two MCDA models to assess business ideas for Moravia were proposed.

A pilot with 20 ideas were analysed and they are been implemented.

A model to assist decision-makers allocate the donations for the victims

of El Oasis was developed.

The families affected were evaluated and the donations already given.

A guideline to plan future business ideas was developed.

The case study opened the perspective of the social workers involved

about the importance of planning, as well as the economics’ perspective

about the importance of perform pro-social activities.

Outcomes of the case study

Characteristics of the intervention

Multiple actors with different backgrounds and roles were involved.

Two main view points were identified (social & economic).

Participation, good communication and group-work were key issues.

Actors had no previous experience with MCDA.

Putting things in practice…

Conclusions: Effectiveness of the MM

There was a overall acceptance about the MM by the participants

involved. Positive appreciations were made by all of them.

The MM allowed the construction of the MCDA models in a participative

way.

The decisions and recommendations made with the multimethodology are

been followed and implemented.

The MM proved to be a flexible tool and it adapted well to all the

unexpected changes suffered during the project (e.g. the fire).

The possibility to perform a second case study in Guajira, Colombia with

this NGO and a private company is been studied (this was motivated by

the client) !!!

Conclusions: The Multimethodology’s benefits

There is still an ongoing data analysis (interviews)

Communication: The MM provided a space for discussion.

Learning: The participants learned about their colleagues’ point of

view and the problem itself (e.g. “… I understood why the economic

analysis was important to be undertaken and I think my partner

learned about social work…”).

Organizing: A guide to re-direct the work and efforts of the group

emerged from the activities undertaken.

Empowerment: New applications are emerging motivated by the

clients.

Group-work: participants got to know each-other better and they

worked together towards common goals.