What are the benefits and limitations in using the Results-based Management approach?

The Result-based Management approach is a participatory approach which seeks to align the efforts of an organization, a project or a program with the expected results, by involving and empowering all stakeholders, by optimizing the use of resources human and financial and by promoting learning. It has benefits and limitations.

Benefits:

The participation of stakeholders which improves the quality, efficiency and sustainability of the project, increases the information available for project design and planning. It allows better ownership of the project. The partners are more motivated to obtain the desired results because they have collaborated in their definition and are committed to the process.

Thanks to the analysis of the information collected, Result-based Management allows the project to coincide with the reality on the ground and promotes an intervention that is likely to be more sustainable. Potential risks are identified, and a risk management strategy is created. Results-based Management approach justifies the use of the budget and allows a better understanding of the use of funds.

Limitations:

It is often difficult to determine the cause and effect relationships according to the Results-based Management results chain in certain sectors (development education, certain public reforms, for example). In these cases, the definition of effect and impact indicators becomes quite hazardous.

Some of the Results-based Management principles, such as transparency and participation, can be extremely difficult to meet in highly politicized or conflictual (post-conflict) contexts. Stakeholder involvement takes time and resources that many small structures are not necessarily able to provide.