Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
Both technical research and the use of its outputs in engagement processes
were important because:
Research to define problems (development challenges) without trying to
solve them is incomplete.
It is not prudent to try to solve problems that are not understood.
It is fruitless to do research whose outputs will not be used in engagement
(the social process of informing people).
Engagement not guided by evidence is usually ineffective and inefficient.
We also found that technical innovation and institutional innovation usually
complement each other. At times they are so interrelated as to be codependent.
We provided a number of examples.
The experience of the CPWF is that using systems of innovation in a longer
time frame is often the key to progress and ultimate success. Innovation is a
social process that is risky and unpredictable, where success comes from
learning from failure. New ideas are tested, accepted or discarded in a dynamic
and iterative process of learning selection. Researchers will be well served if
they can foresee the trajectory of innovation. This allows them to build on
past learning and to link up with concurrent projects on similar issues being
managed by other partners.
Notes
1
See cgspace.cgiar.org/handle/10568/2983 (accessed 14 April 2014).
Acknowledgments
We are grateful for helpful comments and suggestions from Tilahun Amede, Kim
Geheb, Elizabeth Humphries, Nancy Johnson and an anonymous reviewer.
References
Alvarez, S., Douthwaite, B. Thiele, G., Mackay, R., Córdoba, D. and Tehelen, K.
(2010) 'Participatory impact pathways analysis: a practical method for project
planning and evaluation', Development in Practice , vol. 20, no. 8, pp. 946-958.
Andreini, M., Schuetz, T., Senzanje, A., Rodriguez, I., Andah, W., Cecchi, P., Boelee,
E., van de Giesen, N., Kemp-Benedict, E. and Liebe, J. (2010) Small multi-purpose
reservoir ensemble planning , CPWF Project Report Series PN46, CGIAR Challenge
Program on Water and Food, Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Andreini, M., Schuetz, T. and Harrington, L. (2009) Small reservoirs toolkit, CGIAR
Challenge Program on Water and Food, www.smallreservoirs.org/ (accessed
14 April 2014).
Asante, S. (2011) Empowering farming communities in northern Ghana with strategic innovations
and productive resources in dryland farming, CPWF Project Report Series PN06,
CGIAR Challenge Program on Water and Food Colombo, Sri Lanka.
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