Retreat2015 - Revision history

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PopoolaSamuel001 at 15:27, 19 November 2018

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Africa RISING program coordination team retreat
Date : 2-5 June 2015
Venue: IFPRI, Washington DC

----

=Participants=
Jerry Glover
Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon
Peter Thorne
Carlo Azzarri
Bernard Vanlauwe
Siboniso Moyo
Asamoah Larbi
Kindu Mekonnen
Salvador Fernandez
Peter Ballantyne
Sara Signorelli
Beliyou Haile
Cleo Roberts

=Notes from the meeting=
[[:File:AR_retreat2015_notes.docx]]

=Objectives=

1. Draft an AR phase II program concept and outline note with purpose, outcomes, activities, hypotheses geo focus; plus initial 'delivery' framework
2. Take stock of current project and program strengths, weaknesses and external review comments to feed into objective 1
3. Interact with and Influence USAID and other influentials in Washington about 1) AR results and promise and 2) importance of SI
4. Briefly, discuss issues and plans on the immediate/18 month phase I agenda
5. Agree scope organizational lead for the science symposium in October

=Agenda=

{|
| Tuesday || ||
|-
| 0800 || Breakfast at IFPRI ||
|-
| 0830 || Session 1: Objectives and outputs and outcomes of the week || What does success look like for this week?
|-
| 0900 || Session 2: Stocktaking - Insights from external reviews - SWOT exercise [[:File:reviews_iita_insights.docx]]brbrbr[[:File:AR_Ethiopia_review_note_May2015.docx]]brbr[[:File:retreat_pre_swot.docx]] || Brief ‘presentations’ of key conclusions and recommendations of the reviews Quick SWOT among us
|-
| 1030 || Break ||
|-
| 1100 || Session 3: AR program rapid re-think || Re-visit the principal elements of the program architecture What to keep What to tweak What to change
|-
| 1230 || Lunch ||
|-
| 1400 || Session 4: Stocktaking review implications - Program framework: * Hypotheses still to do: * Data management * M&E * Organization and management * Harmonization across regions || Critical implications of session 2 and 3 Listing, ranking, prioritization
|-
| 1530 || Break ||
|-
| 1600 || Session 5: AR theories of change and impact pathways || Exercise to document current -> projected impact pathways Vision of Success / purpose Outcomes Outputs Activities Looking to Phase II
|-
| 1700 || END Day 1 ||
|-
| 1800-1930 || Side discussion on the science symposium ||
|-
|}

{|
| Wednesday || ||
|-
| 0800 || Breakfast at IFPRI ||
|-
| 0830 || Session 6: Sustainable Intensification || Still valid? Indicators? Revisions?
|-
| 1000 || Break ||
|-
| 1030 || Session 7: Phase II design first cut || Building from Session 5 Focus on ‘Science’/R4D Key elements
|-
| 1230 || Lunch ||
|-
| 1400 || Session 8: Phase II design outline || Phase II rough ‘design note’ WHAT will we do ‘Science’/R4D
|-
| 1530 || Break ||
|-
| 1600 || Session 9: Prep for USAID visits || Day 3 program Preparations Process
|-
| 1730 || END Day 2 ||
|-
| 1800-1930 || Finalise USAID session process/products ||
|-
| || ||
|-
| Thursday || ||
|-
| 0800 || Breakfast at IFPRI ||
|-
| 0830 || Session 9: Prep for USAID visits ||
|-
| 1000 || USAID program || 1100-1230 - seminar focus on program, results, insights 1300-1500 - informal discussions with Economic Growth, Education and Environment Bureau, Africa Bureau and Bureau for Food Security [http://www.slideshare.net/africa-rising/ssar-usaid-jun2015| PRESENTATION AT USAID]
|-
| 1630 || Session 10: Feedback USAID program || What did we learn Key insights Key implications for our planning and strategizing
|-
| 1730 || END Day 3 ||
|-
| 1800-1930 || some activity ||
|-
| Friday || ||
|-
| 0800 || Breakfast at IFPRI ||
|-
| 0830 || Process and products for the day ||
|-
| 0900 || Session 11: Working on Phase II || Start from Session 8 HOW will we deliver Roles, pathways, 
|-
| 1230 || Lunch ||
|-
| 1400 || Session 12. Synthesis, next steps, responsibilities ||
|-
| 1500 || [[pct8| Session 12. PCT Meeting]] ||
|-
| 1730 || END of day 4 ||
|-
|}

==SWOT exercise results==

'''Strengths'''
systems perspective - multiple components, trade-offs, partnerships
Flexibility - to address important demand-led R4D issues [no pre-set R4D agenda]. 'Flexibility within borders'
Partnerships - extent, breadth, depth
System research rater than single commodity
Multi-disciplinary approaches looking at realities on the ground
multi-stakeholder - different CG centres working together to facilitate change and impact
partnership centred on farmers

'''Weaknesses'''
Insufficient / patchy attention to higher-level FtF outcomes and indicators [gender, nutrition, etc]
Insufficient interactions on science issues
integration challenges
scaling issues
clarity of research methodology, hypotheses, analysis
No close consistency and defined boundaries
Lack of practical document to complement the general research framework
Old wine in new bottles? we need to avoid CG centres going own way, focusing on too many research activities
difficulties in integrating AR projects

'''Opportunities'''
Emerging partnerships in development - more attention to AR from missions, donors, national development partners
More conducive policy environment for SI and similar
Increased attention of R&D partners to engage with AR
Increased interest from R partners and donors for systems expertise
Working across different agro-ecologies
using integrated systems as a basis for development planning

'''Threats'''
management complexity overwhelms us [lack of defined borders, complex partnerships, lack of harmonisation]
insecure long-term funding [need to articulate and illustrate results and impacts]
losing systems experience in the teams [need to mentor and grow perspectives]
inability to demonstrate tangible change at livelihood level through systems R4D
not partnering with competing SI projects leads to missed opportunities
challenges dealing with national partners lead to under-performance
risk of CG centres falling back into old ways leading to under-performance
tension between specific interventions and generalizable results

==Arising from the SWOT: Priority actions for the coming 14 months (rest of phase 1)==

a. Explain and document and capitalize on our system-level perspectives
a. Define AR identity and unique selling points - roles, beneficiaries, value added ...
b. Document and contextualize impact/adoption through data
c. Recruit AR coordinator/administrator at program level
b. Explain/document R&D impact and institutional impact
d. Strengthen national partners
c. M&E data staffing/people into each regional project
e. Boosting cross-project science learning
f. Data management: farm/farmer data; queryable database of AR farmers
b. Documenting early change
g. Identify and document technology packages (link to farmer typologies)
b. Carry out socioeconomic analysis ad risks
h. Revise program framework - hypotheses
i. Develop and use system-wide SI indicators
j. Clarify IPs roles, objectives and approach
k. Agree, test, validate approach to typologies; start to operationalize this

==Arising from the SWOT: points captured by PeterB==

The system perspective and associated integration is central
We need a system to store and analyze data on individual farmers (barcodes)
We miss some standard design/implementation device and indicators that bridges the program framework and associated hypotheses with project implementation
We need to capture tangible evidence on outcomes, many small changes
Demand orientation (within some borders) is a strong point of the program
We need to document and explain and clarify 'the' systems approach we use
Researching scaling is important alongside actual scaling
Grasping opportunities needs us to proactively approach partners
Greater scientific interactions are needed
The demand orientation is interlinked with program flexibility
Complexity management is required
We need the 'systems perspective' to be taken up and adopted within the science team
It's important to generate evidence around the FtF indicators
Cross-cgiar collaboration and engagement is a strength
Collaboration with partners close to the ground is a strength
Cross-project collaboration can provide agro-ecological insights

==Phase 2: what to do more of; less of==

Do more ...
1. more evidence to inform actions for target typologies of farmers [extend what we do now]
2. more publications and articles
3. stocktake all the data and feed into decisionmaking / farmer communities
4. Pay more attention to the enabling environment and how this affects/influences/determines SI; Decide what actions AR can do in this area
5. Link work on plots / households with work on landscapes
6. Refine the SI indicators we use
7. do more research on scaling up
8. Have more coordinated planning
9. Do more monitoring of adoption changes
10. specify clearer roles and responsibilities of AR actors
11. more data sharing across levels
12. More differentiated approach to data - for different levels and scales
13. capacity development on data for national partners
14. do research on delivery systems [linked to more scaling up research]

Do less ...
1. collect less data, less often; but better (thru better and more coordinated planning)
2. caution to avoid institutionalization of IPs

What's different in this?
1. Move 'beyond agronomy' towards combinations of options and interventions in 'packages' ?
2. More research on interactions among interventions
3. Have innovations 'ready to adapt' by farmers, under ranges of conditions
4. Partner with extension so our technologies in their packages
5. More 'marketing' of interventions focus

==Emerging vision of success==
This very preliminary material was produced by the groups as a starting point for visioning and strategizing.

[[:File:vision_sketch_v3.pptx]]

[[:File:toc_sketch_v1.pptx]]

[[:File:framework_sketch_v1.docx]]

==Emerging structure for phase 2==

[[:File:phase2_orgchart_v1.pptx]]

==Phase 1 planning==
This Gantt chart gives information on what was agreed as priority tasks for the coming period

[[:File:phase1_gantt_chart.xlsx]]

See also plans for the [[AR-strategy2015| Africa RISING Program Strategy Workshop]] in October 2015

Also notes from [[pct8| PCT8 meeting]] on 5 June 2015


{|
| Monday || ||
|-
| || Arrivals || Accommodation?
|-
| Evening || Meet for dinner? ||
|-
| Tuesday || ||
|-
| 0830 || Session 1: Objectives and outputs and outcomes of the week || What does success look like for this week?
|-
| 0900 || Session 2: Stocktaking - Insights from external reviews - SWOT exercise || Brief ‘presentations’ of key conclusions and recommendations of the reviews Quick SWOT among us
|-
| 1030 || Break ||
|-
| 1100 || Session 3: Stocktaking review implications - Program framework - Hypotheses - Harmonization - Data management - M&E - Organization and management || Critical implications of session 2 Listing, ranking, prioritization
|-
| 1230 || Lunch ||
|-
| 1400 || Session 4: AR program rapid re-think || Re-visit the principal elements of the program architecture What to keep What to tweak What to change
|-
| 1530 || Break ||
|-
| 1600 || Session 5: AR theories of change and impact pathways || Exercise to document current -> projected impact pathways Vision of Success Outcomes Outputs Activities Looking to Phase II
|-
| 1730 || END Day 1 ||
|-
| Wednesday || ||
|-
| 0830 || Session 6: Sustainable Intensification || Still valid? Indicators? Revisions?
|-
| 1000 || Break ||
|-
| 1030 || Session 7: Phase II design first cut || Building from Session 5 Focus on ‘Science’/R4D Key elements
|-
| 1230 || Lunch ||
|-
| 1400 || Session 8: Phase II design outline || Phase II rough ‘design note’ WHAT will we do ‘Science’/R4D
|-
| 1530 || Break ||
|-
| 1600 || Session 9: Prep for USAID visits || Day 3 program Preparations Process
|-
| 1730 || END Day 2 ||
|-
| || ||
|-
| Thursday || ||
|-
| 0830 || Session 9: Prep for USAID visits ||
|-
| 1000 || USAID program || Assume Jerry puts this together Mini-seminar/presentation about AR, with USAID influentials? Show and tell Individual visits/discussions Maybe agrilinks webinar/lunchtime thing with wider than USAID? (online etc) on SI
|-
| 1630 || Session 10: Feedback USAID program || What did we learn Key insights Key implications for our planning and strategizing
|-
| 1730 || END Day 3 ||
|-
| || ||
|-
| Friday || ||
|-
| 0830 || Process and products for the day ||
|-
| 0900 || Session 11: Working on Phase II || Start from Session 8 HOW will we deliver Roles, pathways, 
|-
| 1230 || Lunch ||
|-
| 1400 || AR phase 1 ‘housekeeping’ and planning - Big milestones - Big issues / Opportunities - Budgets - Preparing for the External Evaluation - Data sharing - Program-level activities, 18 month calendar - AOB ||
|-
| 1530 || Break ||
|-
| 1600 || Synthesis, next steps, responsibilities ||
|-
| 1700 || END of day 4 ||
|-
|}

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
-<span style="font-size: 17.6px;">Africa RISING program coordination team retreat</span>
+=='''Africa RISING program coordination team retreat <br />2-5 June 2015<br /> IFPRI, Washington DC'''==
 ----
-=Participants=
+===Participants===
-Jerry Glover
+Jerry Glover<br/>
-Irmgard <span style="font-family: 'Tahoma','sans-serif'; font-size: 13.3333px;">Hoeschle-Zeledon</span>
+Irmgard Hoeschle-Zeledon<br/>
-Peter Thorne
+Peter Thorne<br/>
-Carlo Azzarri
+Carlo Azzarri<br/>
-Bernard Vanlauwe
+Bernard Vanlauwe<br/>
-Siboniso Moyo
+Siboniso Moyo<br/>
-Asamoah Larbi
+Asamoah Larbi<br/>
-Kindu Mekonnen
+Kindu Mekonnen<br/>
-Salvador Fernandez
+Salvador Fernandez<br/>
-Peter Ballantyne
+Peter Ballantyne<br/>
-Sara Signorelli
+Sara Signorelli<br/>
-Beliyou Haile
+Beliyou Haile<br/>
-Cleo Roberts
+Cleo Roberts<br/>
-=Notes from the meeting=
+===Notes from the meeting===
 [[:File:AR_retreat2015_notes.docx]]
-=Objectives=
+===Objectives===
-. Draft an AR phase II program concept and outline note with purpose, outcomes, activities, hypotheses geo focus; plus initial 'delivery' framework
+# Draft an AR phase II program concept and outline note with purpose, outcomes, activities, hypotheses geo focus; plus initial 'delivery' framework<br/>
-. Take stock of current project and program strengths, weaknesses and external review comments to feed into objective 1
+# Take stock of current project and program strengths, weaknesses and external review comments to feed into objective 1<br/>
-. Interact with and Influence USAID and other influentials in Washington about 1) AR results and promise and 2) importance of SI
+# Interact with and Influence USAID and other influentials in Washington about 1) AR results and promise and 2) importance of SI<br/>
-. Briefly, discuss issues and plans on the immediate/18 month phase I agenda
+# Briefly, discuss issues and plans on the immediate/18 month phase I agenda<br/>
-. Agree scope organizational lead for the science symposium in October
+# Agree scope organizational lead for the science symposium in October<br/>
-=Agenda=
+===Agenda===
 {|
@@ Line 163: / Line 160: @@
 ==Arising from the SWOT: Priority actions for the coming 14 months (rest of phase 1)==
-a. Explain and document and capitalize on our system-level perspectives
+* Explain and document and capitalize on our system-level perspectives<br/>
-a. Define AR identity and unique selling points - roles, beneficiaries, value added ...
+* Define AR identity and unique selling points - roles, beneficiaries, value added ...<br/>
-b. Document and contextualize impact/adoption through data
+* Document and contextualize impact/adoption through data<br/>
-c. Recruit AR coordinator/administrator at program level
+* Recruit AR coordinator/administrator at program level<br/>
-b. Explain/document R&D impact and institutional impact
+* Explain/document R&D impact and institutional impact<br/>
-d. Strengthen national partners
+* Strengthen national partners<br/>
-c. M&E data staffing/people into each regional project
+* M&E data staffing/people into each regional project<br/>
-e. Boosting cross-project science learning
+* Boosting cross-project science learning<br/>
-f. Data management: farm/farmer data; queryable database of AR farmers
+* Data management: farm/farmer data; queryable database of AR farmers<br/>
-b. Documenting early change
+* Documenting early change<br/>
-g. Identify and document technology packages (link to farmer typologies)
+* Identify and document technology packages (link to farmer typologies)<br/>
-b. Carry out socioeconomic analysis ad risks
+* Carry out socioeconomic analysis ad risks<br/>
-h. Revise program framework - hypotheses
+* Revise program framework - hypotheses<br/>
-i. Develop and use system-wide SI indicators
+* Develop and use system-wide SI indicators<br/>
-j. Clarify IPs roles, objectives and approach
+* Clarify IPs roles, objectives and approach<br/>
-k. Agree, test, validate approach to typologies; start to operationalize this
+* Agree, test, validate approach to typologies; start to operationalize this<br/>
@@ Line 203: / Line 200: @@
 Do more ...
-. more evidence to inform actions for target typologies of farmers [extend what we do now]
+* more evidence to inform actions for target typologies of farmers [extend what we do now]<br/>
-. more publications and articles
+* more publications and articles<br/>
-. stocktake all the data and feed into decisionmaking / farmer communities
+* stocktake all the data and feed into decisionmaking / farmer communities<br/>
-. Pay more attention to the enabling environment and how this affects/influences/determines SI; Decide what actions AR can do in this area
+* Pay more attention to the enabling environment and how this affects/influences/determines SI; Decide what actions AR can do in this area<br/>
-. Link work on plots / households with work on landscapes
+* Link work on plots / households with work on landscapes<br/>
-. Refine the SI indicators we use
+* Refine the SI indicators we use<br/>
-. do more research on scaling up
+* do more research on scaling up<br/>
-. Have more coordinated planning
+* Have more coordinated planning<br/>
-. Do more monitoring of adoption changes
+* Do more monitoring of adoption changes<br/>
-. specify clearer roles and responsibilities of AR actors
+* specify clearer roles and responsibilities of AR actors<br/>
-. more data sharing across levels
+* more data sharing across levels<br/>
-. More differentiated approach to data - for different levels and scales
+* More differentiated approach to data - for different levels and scales<br/>
-. capacity development on data for national partners
+* capacity development on data for national partners<br/>
-. do research on delivery systems [linked to more scaling up research]
+* do research on delivery systems [linked to more scaling up research]<br/>
 Do less ...
-. collect less data, less often; but better (thru better and more coordinated planning)
+#. collect less data, less often; but better (thru better and more coordinated planning)<br/>
-. caution to avoid institutionalization of IPs
+#. caution to avoid institutionalization of IPs<br/>
 What's different in this?
-. Move 'beyond agronomy' towards combinations of options and interventions in 'packages' ?
+#. Move 'beyond agronomy' towards combinations of options and interventions in 'packages'?<br/>
-. More research on interactions among interventions
+#. More research on interactions among interventions<br/>
-. Have innovations 'ready to adapt' by farmers, under ranges of conditions
+#. Have innovations 'ready to adapt' by farmers, under ranges of conditions<br/>
-. Partner with extension so our technologies in their packages
+#. Partner with extension so our technologies in their packages<br/>
-. More 'marketing' of interventions focus
+#. More 'marketing' of interventions focus<br/>