Notes from William Easterly’s:Notes from William Easterly’s:

The White Man’s The White Man’s Burden: Why the Burden: Why the

West’s Effort to Aid West’s Effort to Aid the Rest Have Done the Rest Have Done So Much Ill and so So Much Ill and so

Little GoodLittle Good

NOTENOTE:: To appreciateTo appreciate this presentation this presentation [and ensure that it [and ensure that it

is not a is not a messmess],], you need you need Microsoft fonts:Microsoft fonts:

“Showcard Gothic,”“Showcard Gothic,” “Ravie,”“Ravie,” “Chiller”“Chiller”

andand “Verdana”“Verdana”

The topic is, of course, of the utmost The topic is, of course, of the utmost significance to the state of human affairs. significance to the state of human affairs.

Beyond that, this masterpiece is perhaps the Beyond that, this masterpiece is perhaps the best book I’ve read on implementation in best book I’ve read on implementation in

general.general.

““The West spent … The West spent … $$2.32.3 trilliontrillion on foreign aid over the last five decades and still on foreign aid over the last five decades and still has has not not managed to get twelve-cent medicines to managed to get twelve-cent medicines to children to prevent half of all malaria deaths. The children to prevent half of all malaria deaths. The West spent $2.3 trillion and still West spent $2.3 trillion and still notnot managed to managed to get three dollars to each new mother to prevent get three dollars to each new mother to prevent

five million child deaths. …five million child deaths. … But I and many But I and many other like-minded people keep other like-minded people keep

trying, not to abandon aid to the trying, not to abandon aid to the poor, but to poor, but to makemake suresure it reachesit reaches

themthem.”.”

Easterly, maligned by many, is the arch-enemy of Easterly, maligned by many, is the arch-enemy of

the the Big PlanBig Plan [his capital letters, not mine][his capital letters, not mine]

sent from afar; and the vociferous fan of practical sent from afar; and the vociferous fan of practical activities of those he calls activities of those he calls

“Searchers”“Searchers” … who learn the ins … who learn the ins and outs of the culture, politics and local conditions and outs of the culture, politics and local conditions

“on the ground” in order to use local levers and “on the ground” in order to use local levers and local players, and get those 12-local players, and get those 12-

cent medicines to community members. cent medicines to community members.

Read on, “Planners” vs “Searchers” …Read on, “Planners” vs “Searchers” …

““In foreign aid, Planners announce good intentions but don’t motivate anyone In foreign aid, Planners announce good intentions but don’t motivate anyone to carry them out;to carry them out; Searchers find thinSearchers find thinggs that work and s that work and gget some et some rewardreward.. Planners raise expectations but take no responsibility for meeting Planners raise expectations but take no responsibility for meeting them;them; Searchers acceSearchers acceppt rest respponsibilitonsibilityy for their actions for their actions;; Planners Planners

determine what to supplydetermine what to supply; ; Searchers find out what is in demandSearchers find out what is in demand.. Planners apply global blueprints;Planners apply global blueprints; Searchers adapt to local conditionsSearchers adapt to local conditions..

Planners at the top lack knowledge of the bottom;Planners at the top lack knowledge of the bottom; Searchers find out Searchers find out what the realitwhat the realityy is at the bottom is at the bottom.. Planners never hear whether the Planners never hear whether the planned recipients got what they needed;planned recipients got what they needed; Searchers find out if the Searchers find out if the

customer is satisfiedcustomer is satisfied.. … … A Planner thinks he already knows the answers; A Planner thinks he already knows the answers; he thinks of poverty as a technical engineering problem that his answers will he thinks of poverty as a technical engineering problem that his answers will

solve.solve. A Searcher admits he doesn’t know the answers in A Searcher admits he doesn’t know the answers in advance; he believes that advance; he believes that ppovertovertyy is a com is a compplicated tanlicated tanggle of le of political, social, historical, institutional, and technolopolitical, social, historical, institutional, and technologgical ical

factors; he hopes to find answers to individual factors; he hopes to find answers to individual pproblems onlroblems onlyy bbyy trial and error ex trial and error expperimentationerimentation.. A planner believes outsiders know A planner believes outsiders know enough to impose solutions;enough to impose solutions; a Searcher believes only insiders have a Searcher believes only insiders have enouenouggh knowledh knowledgge to find solutions, and that most solutions e to find solutions, and that most solutions

must be homemust be homeggrownrown. …”. …”

This may be the most illuminating synopsis This may be the most illuminating synopsis of implementation issues that I have ever of implementation issues that I have ever

stumbled across.stumbled across.

Derived from the above and more, I have extracted Derived from the above and more, I have extracted a series of “lessons” from the Easterly book. These a series of “lessons” from the Easterly book. These implementation lessons are, in fact, universal:implementation lessons are, in fact, universal:

Lesson (#1 of sooooooo many): Lesson (#1 of sooooooo many): Show up! Show up! (On the ground, where the action—and (On the ground, where the action—and possible implementation—is.)possible implementation—is.)

Lesson: Lesson: Invest in ceaseless study of Invest in ceaseless study of conditions “on the ground”—social andconditions “on the ground”—social and political and historical and systemic.political and historical and systemic.

““Ninety percent Ninety percent of success is of success is

showing up.” showing up.” —Woody Allen

Lesson:Lesson: ListenListen to to the “locals.”the “locals.”Lesson:Lesson: HearHear the the “locals.”“locals.”

18’18’ Source: How Doctors Think, Jerome GroopmanSource: How Doctors Think, Jerome Groopman

Lesson: Lesson: Talk to the “locals.”Talk to the “locals.”Lesson: Lesson: Listen to the “locals.”Listen to the “locals.”Lesson: Lesson: Hear the “locals.”Hear the “locals.”Lesson: Lesson: Listen to the “locals.”Listen to the “locals.”Lesson: Lesson: Hear the “locals.”Hear the “locals.”Lesson: Lesson: Listen to the “locals.”Listen to the “locals.”Lesson: Lesson: Hear the “locals.”Hear the “locals.”Lesson:Lesson: Listen to the “locals.” Listen to the “locals.”Lesson:Lesson: Hear to the “locals.” Hear to the “locals.”Lesson:Lesson: Listen to the “locals.” Listen to the “locals.”Lesson:Lesson: Hear to the “locals.” Hear to the “locals.”Lesson: Lesson: Respect the “locals.”Respect the “locals.”Lesson:Lesson: Empathize with the “locals.” Empathize with the “locals.”

Lesson:Lesson: Have a truly Have a truly crappy office, and crappy office, and

otherother unun-trappings!-trappings!

Lesson: Lesson: Try to blend in, adopting local customs, showingTry to blend in, adopting local customs, showing deference were necessary—almost everywhere;deference were necessary—almost everywhere; and never interrupt the “big man” in front of hisand never interrupt the “big man” in front of his folk, even, or especially, if you think he is 180folk, even, or especially, if you think he is 180 degrees off.degrees off.Lesson:Lesson: Seek out the local leaders’ second cousins, etc,Seek out the local leaders’ second cousins, etc, to gain indirect assess overto gain indirect assess over their uncle twicetheir uncle twice removed! (Etc & etc.)removed! (Etc & etc.)Lesson:Lesson: Have a truly crappy office, and other Have a truly crappy office, and other un-trappings!un-trappings!Lesson: Lesson: Remember, you do not in fact have the answersRemember, you do not in fact have the answers despite your PhD with,despite your PhD with, naturally, honors, from thenaturally, honors, from the University of Chicago—where you were mentoredUniversity of Chicago—where you were mentored by not one, but two, Nobel Laureates in economics.by not one, but two, Nobel Laureates in economics.Lesson: Lesson: Regardless of the enormity of the problem,Regardless of the enormity of the problem, proceed by trial (manageableproceed by trial (manageable in size) and error,in size) and error, error, error. (Failure motto: “Do it right the firsterror, error. (Failure motto: “Do it right the first time!”time!” Success motto: “Do it right the 37th time!” Success motto: “Do it right the 37th time!” And hustle through thoseAnd hustle through those 37 tries—see the37 tries—see the next slide.)next slide.)

““We made mistakes, of course. Most of them were omissions we We made mistakes, of course. Most of them were omissions we didn’t think of when we initially wrote the software. didn’t think of when we initially wrote the software. We fixed We fixed them by doing it over and over, again and again.them by doing it over and over, again and again. We do the We do the

same today. While our competitors are still sucking their same today. While our competitors are still sucking their thumbs trying to make the design perfect, we’re already on thumbs trying to make the design perfect, we’re already on

prototype versionprototype version ##55.. By the time our rivals are ready By the time our rivals are ready

with wires and screws, we are on version with wires and screws, we are on version ##1010.. It It gets back to planning versus actinggets back to planning versus acting: : We We

act from day oneact from day one; ; others plan how toothers plan how to planplan——for monthsfor months.”.” —Bloomberg by Bloomberg—Bloomberg by Bloomberg

Lesson: Lesson: The process of political-communityThe process of political-community engagement must also be approached asengagement must also be approached as a trial and error learning process.a trial and error learning process.Lesson: Lesson: Always alter the experiment to accommodateAlways alter the experiment to accommodate local needs—the act of apparent local modificationlocal needs—the act of apparent local modification per se is critical, as every community leader, inper se is critical, as every community leader, in order for them to accept “ownership” andorder for them to accept “ownership” and demonstrate to their constituents that they are indemonstrate to their constituents that they are in charge, must feel as if they have directly andcharge, must feel as if they have directly and measurably influenced the experiment. measurably influenced the experiment. [See the next four slides.][See the next four slides.]

Lesson: Lesson: Growth (the experimental and expansion-Growth (the experimental and expansion- emulation process) must be emulation process) must be organicorganic, and proceed, and proceed at a measured pace—nudged, not hurried.at a measured pace—nudged, not hurried.Lesson: Lesson: Speed kills! (To a point.) By and large, theSpeed kills! (To a point.) By and large, the messiness and “inefficiency” of the local politicalmessiness and “inefficiency” of the local political process must be honored.process must be honored.

““Buy in”- Buy in”- “Ownership”-“Ownership”-

Authorial bragging Authorial bragging rights-“Born again” rights-“Born again” Champion = Champion = OneOne LineLine ofof CodeCode!!

““It works this way, Tom. You’re talking to a guy who’s important It works this way, Tom. You’re talking to a guy who’s important to implementation down where the rubber meets the road. He’s to implementation down where the rubber meets the road. He’s skeptical—he either really is, or it’s the act he chooses to play. skeptical—he either really is, or it’s the act he chooses to play.

You go over the thing with him and he has a thousand objections. You go over the thing with him and he has a thousand objections. You nod your head a lot, and take copious notes. Then you go You nod your head a lot, and take copious notes. Then you go

back to your guys, and you find a few places where you can very back to your guys, and you find a few places where you can very specifically accommodate him. You make the changes, even if specifically accommodate him. You make the changes, even if

they are pretty ugly. Then you go back to him,they are pretty ugly. Then you go back to him, and show him exactly what you’ve done. You have a and show him exactly what you’ve done. You have a

‘born again’ supporter. You took him seriously—and through the ‘born again’ supporter. You took him seriously—and through the changes, he’s now your co-inventor, your savior. Now he’s doing changes, he’s now your co-inventor, your savior. Now he’s doing

the selling for you. Hey, the whole damn thing wouldn’t have the selling for you. Hey, the whole damn thing wouldn’t have worked were it not for his interjections—that’s the way he frames worked were it not for his interjections—that’s the way he frames

it to his folks. I tell you, it never fails.”it to his folks. I tell you, it never fails.”

Source: Australian IS-IT chief, mid-sized company in financial servicesSource: Australian IS-IT chief, mid-sized company in financial services

NothNoth--inging is “scalable”!*is “scalable”!*

Nothing is “scalable”!*Nothing is “scalable”!*

**EverEveryy replication must replication must exude the exude the pperceercepptiontion of of

uniuniqquenessueness—even if it means —even if it means a half-step a half-step backwardsbackwards. . (“It (“It

wouldn’t have worked if we hadn’t wouldn’t have worked if we hadn’t done it done it ourour way.”) way.”)

““Scalable” is “one of those [hot] words,” as in, Scalable” is “one of those [hot] words,” as in, “Will it scale?” Replication “Will it scale?” Replication isis of paramount of paramount

importance. But a/the prime failure of many-most importance. But a/the prime failure of many-most aid programs has been to achieve a small aid programs has been to achieve a small

success with a demo—and then immediately success with a demo—and then immediately shove the resulting “approach,” as though it shove the resulting “approach,” as though it were Biblical, lock-stock-and-barrel down the were Biblical, lock-stock-and-barrel down the

throats of 200 unsuspecting communities—with throats of 200 unsuspecting communities—with orders to “get it done by yesterday.” Smart orders to “get it done by yesterday.” Smart

people do demo after demo after demo, and then people do demo after demo after demo, and then beginbegin to “scale” in earnest. But they clearly to “scale” in earnest. But they clearly

understand that “scalability” is understand that “scalability” is never never more than, more than, say, a 75% affair—both real say, a 75% affair—both real and and perceived perceived

tailoring is required at every stop, to adjust to tailoring is required at every stop, to adjust to local conditions local conditions andand to engage the local power to engage the local power

structure by allowing-encouraging them to structure by allowing-encouraging them to “make it their own” !“make it their own” !

Lesson: Lesson: Speed kills!Speed kills!Lesson: Lesson: Short-circuiting political Short-circuiting political process kills!process kills!Lesson: Lesson: Premature rollout kills!Premature rollout kills!Lesson: Lesson: Too much publicity-visibilityToo much publicity-visibility kills!kills!Lesson: Lesson: Too much money kills!Too much money kills!Lesson: Lesson: Too much technology kills!Too much technology kills!

There are obviously limits to all these thingsThere are obviously limits to all these things—one, for instance, can’t wait forever for the —one, for instance, can’t wait forever for the political process to “play itself out.” On the political process to “play itself out.” On the

other hand, the other hand, the principal sinprincipal sin of the of the “planners” who make Easterly’s [and my] “planners” who make Easterly’s [and my]

skin crawl is shortchanging local politics and skin crawl is shortchanging local politics and politicians, throwing money at the problem, politicians, throwing money at the problem, counting on clever technologies to carry the counting on clever technologies to carry the day, publicizing successes that aren’t, etc. day, publicizing successes that aren’t, etc.

Lesson: Lesson: Outsiders, to be effective, must have genuineOutsiders, to be effective, must have genuine appreciation of and affection for the locals with whomappreciation of and affection for the locals with whom and for whom they are working!and for whom they are working! Lesson: Lesson: Condescension kills most—said “locals” knowCondescension kills most—said “locals” know unimaginably more about life than well-intentionedunimaginably more about life than well-intentioned “ “do gooders,” young or even, alas, not so young.do gooders,” young or even, alas, not so young.Lesson: Lesson: Progress … MUST … be consistent with “localProgress … MUST … be consistent with “local politics on the ground” in order to raise the oddspolitics on the ground” in order to raise the odds of sustainability.of sustainability.Lesson: Lesson: You will never-ever “fix” “everything at once” You will never-ever “fix” “everything at once” or by the time you “finish”—in our Constitutional or by the time you “finish”—in our Constitutional Convention in 1787, George Washington only gotConvention in 1787, George Washington only got about 60% of what he wanted!about 60% of what he wanted!

Lesson: Lesson: Never forget the atmospherics, such as numerousNever forget the atmospherics, such as numerous celebrations for tiny milestones reached, showering praisecelebrations for tiny milestones reached, showering praise on the local leader and your local cohorts, while youon the local leader and your local cohorts, while you assiduously stand at the back of the crowd—etc.assiduously stand at the back of the crowd—etc.Lesson: Lesson: The experiment has failed until the systems and politicalThe experiment has failed until the systems and political rewards, often small, are in place, with Beta tests completed, rewards, often small, are in place, with Beta tests completed, to up the odds of repetition.to up the odds of repetition.Lesson: Lesson: Most of your on-the-ground staff must consist of Most of your on-the-ground staff must consist of respected locals—the de facto or de jure Chairman or CEOrespected locals—the de facto or de jure Chairman or CEO must be a local; you must be virtually invisible.must be a local; you must be virtually invisible.Lesson: Lesson: Spend enormous “pointless” social time with the local Spend enormous “pointless” social time with the local political leaders—in Gulf War I, Norm Schwarzkopf spent hispolitical leaders—in Gulf War I, Norm Schwarzkopf spent his evenings, nearly all of them, drinking tea until 2AM or 3AMevenings, nearly all of them, drinking tea until 2AM or 3AM with the Saudi crown prince; he called it his greatest with the Saudi crown prince; he called it his greatest contribution!contribution!

Lesson: Lesson: Keep your “start up” plan simple and short and Keep your “start up” plan simple and short and filled with question marks in order to allow othersfilled with question marks in order to allow others to have the last word.to have the last word. (I once did the final draft of a(I once did the final draft of a proposal, making it as flawless as could be. I gave it to my boss,proposal, making it as flawless as could be. I gave it to my boss, pre Microsoft Word, and he proceeded to cut it up and tape the piecespre Microsoft Word, and he proceeded to cut it up and tape the pieces back together, and conspicuously cross out several paragraphs of myback together, and conspicuously cross out several paragraphs of my obviously and labored over brilliant prose that he had agreed to. “Tom,”obviously and labored over brilliant prose that he had agreed to. “Tom,” he said as I recall, “we want the rest of the committee [of important, or athe said as I recall, “we want the rest of the committee [of important, or at least least self-importantself-important folks] to feel as though they are participating and folks] to feel as though they are participating and that you and I are a naïve—not confront them with a beautiful plan thatthat you and I are a naïve—not confront them with a beautiful plan that shouts ‘Don’t you dare alter a word.’”)shouts ‘Don’t you dare alter a word.’”)

Lesson:Lesson: For projects involving children or health or education or For projects involving children or health or education or community development or sustainable small-businesscommunity development or sustainable small-business growth (most projects), women are by far the most reliablegrowth (most projects), women are by far the most reliable and most central and most indirectly powerful localand most central and most indirectly powerful local players in even the most chauvinist settings—theirplayers in even the most chauvinist settings—their characteristic process of “implementation by indirection”characteristic process of “implementation by indirection” means “life or death” to sustainable project success;means “life or death” to sustainable project success; moreover, the expanding concentric circles of women’smoreover, the expanding concentric circles of women’s traditional networking processes is by far the best way totraditional networking processes is by far the best way to “ “scale up”/expand a program. (Men should not even tryscale up”/expand a program. (Men should not even try to understand what is taking place. Among other things,to understand what is taking place. Among other things, this networking indirection-largely invisible process willthis networking indirection-largely invisible process will seemingly “take forever” by most men’s “action now,seemingly “take forever” by most men’s “action now, skip steps” S.O.P.—and then, from out of the blue, skip steps” S.O.P.—and then, from out of the blue, following an eternity of rambling discussions-on-top-of-following an eternity of rambling discussions-on-top-of- rambling-discussions, you will wake up one fine morningrambling-discussions, you will wake up one fine morning and discover that the thing is done that everything hasand discover that the thing is done that everything has fallen in place “overnight” and that ownership is nearlyfallen in place “overnight” and that ownership is nearly universal. Concomitant imperative; most of your (as anuniversal. Concomitant imperative; most of your (as an outsider) staff should be women, alas, most likely notoutsider) staff should be women, alas, most likely not visibly “in charge.”visibly “in charge.”

For projects involving children or For projects involving children or health or education or community health or education or community development or sustainable small-development or sustainable small-businessbusiness growth (most projects), growth (most projects),

womenwomen are by far the most are by far the most reliablereliable and most central and most and most central and most

indirectly powerful localindirectly powerful local players players even in the most chauvinist settings. even in the most chauvinist settings.

Reminders:Reminders:Show up!Show up!

(Stick around!)(Stick around!)Listen!Listen!

(Listen! Listen! Listen!)(Listen! Listen! Listen!)Study local conditions!Study local conditions!Stay in the background!Stay in the background!

(Always defer to local leaders—even bad ones.(Always defer to local leaders—even bad ones. Do your “workarounds” in private.) Do your “workarounds” in private.)

Adapt to local conditions!! Adapt to local conditions!! (No cookie-cutters, please!!)(No cookie-cutters, please!!)

Experiment!Experiment!(Manageable in size.)(Manageable in size.)

(Trial and error, error, error—so, hustle.)(Trial and error, error, error—so, hustle.)(Celebrate the tiniest successes—no such thing as “too much.”)(Celebrate the tiniest successes—no such thing as “too much.”)Get the “boring” supporting systems-infrastructure in place! Get the “boring” supporting systems-infrastructure in place!

Always: Local politics rules!Always: Local politics rules!(Like it or not.)(Like it or not.)

Nudge. Nudge. (Do not force things because of your schedule.)(Do not force things because of your schedule.)

Women are our “customers,” premierWomen are our “customers,” premier “partners in sustainable implementation.” “partners in sustainable implementation.”