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Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)

Item

Title

Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA)

Abstract/Description

Many development initiatives fail to improve performance because they promote isomorphic mimicry—governments change what they look like, not what they do. This article proposes a new approach to doing development, Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA), which contrasts with standard approaches. PDIA focuses on solving locally nominated and prioritized performance problems (instead of transplanting “best practice” solutions). PDIA encourages positive deviance and experimentation (instead of requiring that agents implement policies as designed). PDIA creates feedback loops that facilitate rapid learning (instead of lagged learning from ex post evaluation). PDIA engages many agents to create viable, relevant interventions (instead of depending on external experts).

Date

In publication

Volume

51

Pages

234-244

Resource type

Research/Scholarly Media

Resource status/form

Published Text

Scholarship genre

Synthesis/Overview
Other

Open access/full-text available

Partial

Peer reviewed

Yes

ISSN

0305-750X

Citation

Andrews, M., Pritchett, L., & Woolcock, M. (2013). Escaping Capability Traps Through Problem Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA). World Development, 51, 234–244. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.worlddev.2013.05.011

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