A tool for planning decentralization
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Source: DECENTR-L@erc.msh.org
Dear colleagues,
I would like to share with you a draft Decentralization Plan-
ning Tool that Management Sciences for Health in Boston has de-
veloped this past year. The tool is intended to be a simple
framework for developing decentralization strategies and com-
paring results. We would like to see it field-tested widely in
order to assess its usefulness and to improve it.
The 32-page tool consists of a set of matrix tables and in-
structions for filling them out. It is based on classifying the
functional areas of a health care delivery system (e.g. finan-
cial resources) and the functions within them (e.g. budget
structure, spending control, etc.), and then developing crite-
ria for assessing the degree of decentralization, and mapping
this degree for each function.
The three matrix tables build on each other. When filled out,
they provide a visual picture of the degree of decentralization
of the different functional areas and functions. Six functional
areas and their functions are predetermined in the matrix ta-
bles, but the user can modify this list to suit the local
situation.
We see the Decentralization Planning Tool as an instrument that
can help you to determine where responsibilities for various
essential management functions currently reside, and to map out
where they should reside after decentralization. The tool is
NOT intended, however, to help you decide how to get from the
present to the future state of decentralization.
Please e-mail me directly at <rlkaitken@msh.org> if you would
like to see the tool and/or field-test it. I would also welcome
creative suggestions for naming the tool!
Best regards,
Riitta-Liisa
mailto:rlkaitken@msh.org
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