C04 GOPP
0 likes375 views
The GOPP (Goal-oriented Project Planning) approach provides a systematic structure for planning projects in workshops with principal stakeholder groups. It originated from the Logical Framework Approach developed for USAID in the 1960s. The GOPP output is a planning matrix called the logical project framework that summarizes the key elements of a project, including inputs, activities, and expected results. The GOPP process involves multiple phases of analysis and planning workshops lasting 1 day to 2 weeks to develop the project framework and plan. It is widely used among international development organizations but requires experienced moderation and active participation from local partners to be effective.
C04 GOPP
- 1. Tool C4GOPP - Goal-oriented Project Planning The GOPP approach is used and promoted by the German Society for Technical Co-operation (GTZ: Deutsche Gesellschaft für Technische Zusammenarbeit). The approach provides a systematic structure for identification, planning, and management of projects developed in a workshop setting, with the participation of the principal interest groups. The GOPP output is a planning matrix – the logical project framework – which summarises and structures the main elements of a project and highlights logical linkages between intended inputs, planned activities and expected results. The GOPP approach is used for practically all German funded projects in what formerly was usu- ally called development aid projects and is a prerequisite for funding approval. It was initially called the ‘Logical Framework Approach (LFA)’ when developed for the US Agency for International Development (USAID) in the 1960s. It continued to be developed by various UN agencies, but the GTZ has strongly embraced the approach and developed it into a practical systematic tool. USAID has largely abandoned the use of its own tool kit allegedly due to its complexity and inflexibility. GOPP enjoys widespread use by the larger donor organizations, par- tially because of the orderly structuring and documentation of in- formation as well as its demand for more skill in application. GOPP includes various subparts used to clarifying projects, and the logical project framework itself is often required by agencies in their pro- ject appraisal. The British Overseas Development Agency (ODA- now DFID) requires the ‘Log Frame’ in research project proposals. The OECD’s Development Assistance Committee is promoting its use among member countries, and the Nordic countries and Canada make use of it in development aid programmes as well as occasion- ally in domestic public investment. It is mandatory for DANIDA – the Danish aid agency – projects. Use at the community level is also noted but may be the exception. GTZ recommends the GOPP methodology for all stages of project preparation and implementation. Experience indicates five logical levels of the GOPP method in a standard project cycle; Go to www.gtz.de/en/ 21.07.2008, 14:21:48
- 2. 2/3 • Pre-GOPP: an in-house exercise by agencies in preparation for a project; English, French and German versions of GOPP can be found in the SME ACTor web resource or ordered/ downloaded at http://www.gtz.de/ en/publikationen/7 103.htm • Appraisal GOPP: an in-house appraisal for preparing Terms of Reference of a project; • Partner GOPP: prepared in the respective country; coordina- tion of conclusions and recommendations with staff of pro- ject country; • Take-off GOPP: prepared in the respective country; prepara- tion of the plan of operations with personnel responsible for project execution in the local country authorities. • Replanning GOPP: prepared in the respective country; ad- justments during project implementation. Other GOPPs are recommended annually in projects to update plan- ning as needed. Although the GTZ outlines an elaborate systemisa- tion of the approach, the approach is viable for community-based planning without the need for the elaborate structuring of levels. Indeed, the Take-off GOPP and the Replanning GOPP are essentially community-based and participatory. GOPP workshops last from 1 day to 2 weeks, with a typical session lasting 1 week. It is customary in some GOPPs to sequester the participants in remote loca- tions to enforce unhindered focus on the activities. To mitigate participant dissatisfaction, the locations are invariably selected for their desirable features, and a venue in distant resorts is not uncommon. Participants are selected to represent all interest groups, project technical staff as well as high-level authorities, and community leaders. A basic premise is that the main interest groups must be represented from all levels, particularly top government officials. Cf. SME ACTor Tool A4 on the Setting of Work- shops A GOPP requires a moderator with a high degree of experience and skill. The GTZ often brings a highly trained and paid external con- sultant to moderate their GOPPs, and to achieve moderator status a special course must be completed. An elaborate custom-built toolkit is provided to GOPPs with markers, pins, glue-sticks, and paper strips with varied coloured shapes and sizes. A smaller ‘refill’ kit is available as materials are exhausted in subsequent workshops. A typical session is led by a moderator with participants sitting facing large sheets of paper fixed on panels, walls, etc. As participants go through the exercises, the results are affixed to the sheets with pins to allow adjustment and glued permanently at the end of each day. This in- formation is typed at the end of each day and becomes a part of the work- shop record. Cf. SME ACTor Messages 11 and 12 on Moderation and Visualisation The GOPP has two phases: analysis and project planning. The analy- sis phase has 4 sub-steps, with the identification of ‘real’ problems as the driver for the exercises. • Participation analysis: an overview of persons, groups, or- ganisations connected to a project and their interests, mo- tives, attitudes and implications for project planning. This is done in a chart form. • Problems analysis: major problems are grouped into a prob- lem tree with cause and effect and identification of the core
- 3. 3/3 problem. The problems are noted on cards - one to a card - and organised by smaller groups. • Objectives analysis: a restatement of the problems into real- istically achievable goals; this is often done by rewriting the problems into outcomes, often by reversing the cards. • Alternatives analysis: identification of objectives and assess- ment of alternatives according to resources, probability of achieving objectives, political feasibility, cost-benefit ratio, social risks, time horizon, sustainability, and others factors as decided by group. Prepared on charts. The project planning phase has as its outcome the Project Planning Matrix (PPM), sometimes called the project planning framework. The PPM is a one-page summary of why the project is carried out, what the project is expected to achieve, how the project is going to achieve these results, which factors are crucial for the success of the project, how can success be measured, where data are required to assess project success, and what the project will cost. All of this information is combined in a 4 x 4 matrix. The GOPP method has been cited for its rigidity and rigor, and the need for all participants to actively take part in order for it to suc- ceed. Overly directive moderators and disinterested local partners are some of the reasons why GOPP has sometimes failed to achieve its full potential. (Text taken from the GTZ website and re-edited by HWF)