This approach has been conceptualised by SMIP as managing for impact, which builds on the IFAD Guide for Project M&E.

The Managing for Impact approach (MfI) places equal weight on the impact pathway and the relationship pathway. The impact pathway is about thinking through the logic in change processes. The relationship pathway refers to the people processes and involves thinking about what needs to happen in order to get all actors and players to work toghether to achieve impact.

At the heart of MfI lies people - where all involved in a development initiative become part of a learning alliance that seeks to achieve the greatest possible impact.

There are four focus areas for capacity building in MfI: 

• Guiding the strategy towards impact - taking a strategic perspective whether an initiative is heading towards its goals (impacts) and reacting quickly to adjust the strategy or even the objectives in response to changed circumstances or failure
• Ensuring effective operations - managing the day to day coordination of financial, physical and human resources to ensure the actions and outputs required by the current strategy are being effectively and efficiently achieved.
• Creating a learning environment - establishing a culture and set of relationships with all those involved in an initiative that will build trust, stimulate critical questioning and innovation and gain commitment and ownership.
• Establishing information gathering and management systems - ensuring that the systems are in place to provide the information that is needed to guide the strategy, ensure effective operations and encourage learning."

Please view the attached file to read more about the managing for impact approach