Understanding and evaluating success in international forestry research projects: experience from ACIAR projects in Vietnam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea.
19/11/18 03:58PM
A. G. Bartlett. International Forestry Review, 2018, volume 20, number 3, pp. 274-295.
Abstract: The success of
research for development projects is of interest to project funders and
recipients, and underpins project impact.
This paper synthesizes results from case studies of collaborative
forestry research projects in Vietnam, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea,
where the relative success of projects was evaluated and the factors
affecting project success investigated. Differences
were found in the relative success of projects, between and within
countries, and between related projects in a long-term program. Only
one-quarter of the 30 projects had high achievements and high impacts;
none of which occurred in Papua New Guinea. Interviews
with 90 project participants identified 37 success factors that can
enhance or diminish project success, of which 15 are considered
generally applicable to research for development projects. The two most
important success factors that could be addressed by
research managers and project staff to improve project success were,
respectively, collaborative scoping and design, and the scientists'
commitment, collaboration and focus. Some relationships are apparent
between relative success, the success factors and
context at the national, local and project levels, including the
importance of linking research to impact pathways.
