The Matrix System at Work - Independent Evaluation Group - World ...
The Matrix System at Work - Independent Evaluation Group - World ...
The Matrix System at Work - Independent Evaluation Group - World ...
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CHAPTER 2<br />
THE STRATEGIC ALIGNMENT OF SECTOR AND COUNTRY PRIORITIES<br />
2.6 Based on this evidence the evalu<strong>at</strong>ion assesses the extent to which country<br />
programs and services are responsive to client needs. Str<strong>at</strong>egic alignment is one of the<br />
outputs contributing to this outcome. Consequently, conclusions are drawn regarding<br />
the m<strong>at</strong>rix system’s efficiency and effectiveness in achieving the intermedi<strong>at</strong>e<br />
outcome—“country str<strong>at</strong>egies and programs are aligned with Bank priorities and client<br />
needs.”<br />
THE ROLE OF COUNTRY AND SECTOR STRATEGIES<br />
2.7 Alignment of client priorities with sector and corpor<strong>at</strong>e priorities is a relevant<br />
objective for maximizing the Bank’s development effectiveness, but the countrybased<br />
model is not well designed to achieve this objective. Central to the question of<br />
alignment of sector and corpor<strong>at</strong>e priorities with country programs is the rel<strong>at</strong>ive<br />
power of country directors and sector managers. <strong>The</strong> country-based model is more<br />
responsive to short-term client demands within the three- to four-year time frame of a<br />
CAS than to longer-term sector and corpor<strong>at</strong>e priorities. In contrast, sector and<br />
corpor<strong>at</strong>e str<strong>at</strong>egies are generic because of their global coverage and longer time frame,<br />
inhibiting alignment with country programs.<br />
2.8 <strong>The</strong> CAS provides the basic structure for a country program over a fixed time<br />
horizon and is accompanied by a budget to finance implement<strong>at</strong>ion. CASs typically<br />
specify str<strong>at</strong>egic objectives th<strong>at</strong> are relevant and achievable in a specific period; policy<br />
priorities and oper<strong>at</strong>ions to achieve those objectives; and an implement<strong>at</strong>ion plan to<br />
apply available resources toward those objectives. 21 CAS objectives are usually<br />
organized into three or four pillars, with indic<strong>at</strong>ive resource alloc<strong>at</strong>ion among various<br />
sectors; among various lending instruments; and among analytical studies, just-in-time<br />
policy notes, or technical assistance. CASs are not binding documents and are often<br />
drafted to ensure flexibility in the choice and volume of lending and nonlending<br />
activities financed during the CAS period. Nevertheless, the str<strong>at</strong>egic pillars and<br />
projected size of the portfolio provide the boundaries th<strong>at</strong> determine the country<br />
program, and “consistency with the CAS” is a key justific<strong>at</strong>ion for oper<strong>at</strong>ions.<br />
2.9 By contrast, SSPs, although labeled str<strong>at</strong>egies, have little visible influence on<br />
the sector portfolio in country programs. SSPs have little direct influence on country<br />
programs as they are global in scope and have to be customized to the diverse needs of<br />
partner countries to make them oper<strong>at</strong>ionally relevant. A close review of the available<br />
SSPs in the six focus sectors and two cross-cutting corpor<strong>at</strong>e priorities shows th<strong>at</strong> SSPs<br />
have multiple objectives and audiences, some internal and some external. While<br />
initially drafted as a single document, an SSP is usually refined through a variety of<br />
supplementary documents, including progress reports and action plans th<strong>at</strong> can change<br />
directions or add new objectives. Most of the SSPs reviewed did not include an<br />
implement<strong>at</strong>ion plan, a results framework with indic<strong>at</strong>ors and targets, or a monitoring<br />
20