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The Matrix System at Work - Independent Evaluation Group - World ...

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CHAPTER 4<br />

DELIVERING QUALITY SERVICES<br />

reviewers are heavily tilted toward fiduciary and safeguards issues, which are<br />

managed by their own unit. It is telling th<strong>at</strong> staff and managers complain about the<br />

excessive focus on fiduciary and safeguard m<strong>at</strong>ters and rel<strong>at</strong>ive in<strong>at</strong>tention to other<br />

aspects of quality in regional review processes.<br />

QUALITY ASSURANCE SYSTEMS NEED TO BE STRENGTHENED<br />

4.35 In line with the recently observed decline in development outcomes, most<br />

managers believe the quality of the portfolio has not improved since the<br />

introduction of the m<strong>at</strong>rix system. Half of the sector managers and country<br />

directors/managers interviewed for this evalu<strong>at</strong>ion said th<strong>at</strong> quality of lending and<br />

AAA is not significantly better than during the pre-m<strong>at</strong>rix period, possibly reflecting<br />

recent pressures on quality. Among the remaining managers interviewed, more<br />

think quality has worsened, particularly for AAA, r<strong>at</strong>her than improved. This may<br />

be a reflection of the growing volume of NLTA, which has had weaker quality<br />

review procedures than ESW. <strong>The</strong> majority of staff whose Bank careers began prior<br />

to the m<strong>at</strong>rix system also do not report a noticeable improvement in the quality of<br />

supervision and AAA, while 39 percent feel it has worsened. While these perceived<br />

changes may not be due to the m<strong>at</strong>rix reforms, <strong>at</strong> the very least it indic<strong>at</strong>es th<strong>at</strong><br />

quality assurance systems are under strain and have not prevented quality<br />

deterior<strong>at</strong>ion, particularly in recent years.<br />

4.36 Available tools for quality enhancement are not being used effectively by<br />

sector units. <strong>The</strong> two main tools available to sector units are independent peer<br />

reviews and QERs. Sector managers value QERs much more than peer reviews for<br />

improving quality. Peer reviews in regional oper<strong>at</strong>ions are not well managed. For<br />

the most part, task team leaders select their own peer reviewers, sometimes even<br />

from their own unit. In contrast, peer reviewers in DEC and IEG are selected by<br />

managers to ensure high quality and global expertise. In regional oper<strong>at</strong>ions, due to<br />

delivery deadlines, peer reviewers are aware th<strong>at</strong> substantive criticisms <strong>at</strong> the<br />

decision meeting or <strong>at</strong> meetings of the Oper<strong>at</strong>ions Committee—where oper<strong>at</strong>ions<br />

receive internal approval to move forward with appraisal and to request Board<br />

approval—are neither welcomed nor likely to be addressed. QERs have the potential<br />

to be more effective because they are considered a nonthre<strong>at</strong>ening venue to obtain<br />

high-quality technical advice. But they are now considered optional, they are often<br />

undertaken too l<strong>at</strong>e, and their use is uneven across Regions and sectors. More<br />

system<strong>at</strong>ic and timely use of QERs would significantly enhance quality of lending<br />

oper<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />

4.37 <strong>The</strong> potential of the m<strong>at</strong>rix is not being fully exploited to enhance<br />

oper<strong>at</strong>ional quality. In most Regions, the concept review meetings—where teams are<br />

authorized to prepare an oper<strong>at</strong>ion—and decision meetings for investment projects<br />

73

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