our approach

A core Alinea capability is providing our clients with the information they require to finalize their decisions to start or expand their business, or to determine the feasibility of an investment or projected plan of action. Our technical specialists possess extensive industry experience and can conduct physical and economic feasibility studies, social/gender assessments, site assessments, industry analysis, environmental scans; and provide contacts with local and national governments.

We believe that a successful project can usually be traced back to the effort, care and skill that were applied to its initial planning. Alinea has developed a methodology in planning and design that is framed by the principles of results-based management (RBM), appreciative inquiry, and capacity building, including: inclusion of local expertise; identifying and building on local successes; self-assessment practices; and participatory methodologies.

At Alinea, we undertake project activities as a means to an end—results—and measure the success of our work on this basis. We do not consider project activities and inputs as sufficient in and of themselves—they have to produce developmental outcomes that respond to the stated needs of our clients and partners. We work with our partners to identify the results they want to achieve, reach consensus on the methodology for achieving them and together, we determine the roles and responsibilities each stakeholder needs to fulfill to reach goals and measure success. With desired results articulated and shared, we adjust activities and inputs so that developmental change can progress in a timely fashion.

Alinea is strongly committed to a capacity development approach in our work. This means we design and implement our projects in a way that empowers our partners to set their own development goals, improve their ability to meet these goals, and continue to apply best practices and knowledge gained through the project long after it ends, and thus take charge of their own development path

Our approach to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is characterized by participation: we work with stakeholders to look at both developmental results and success factors. We conduct an objective analysis of issues affecting performance including: achievement of results; cost effectiveness; relevance; sustainability; partnership; appropriateness of design; and resource utilization and timely action. We have developed and implemented numerous M&E frameworks for projects that we manage, and provided M&E services for other projects, programs and organizational assessments.

A core Alinea capability is providing our clients with the information they require to finalize their decisions to start or expand their business, or to determine the feasibility of an investment or projected plan of action. Our technical specialists possess extensive industry experience and can conduct physical and economic feasibility studies, social/gender assessments, site assessments, industry analysis, environmental scans; and provide contacts with local and national governments.

We believe that a successful project can usually be traced back to the effort, care and skill that were applied to its initial planning. Alinea has developed a methodology in planning and design that is framed by the principles of results-based management (RBM), appreciative inquiry, and capacity building, including: inclusion of local expertise; identifying and building on local successes; self-assessment practices; and participatory methodologies.

At Alinea, we undertake project activities as a means to an end—results—and measure the success of our work on this basis. We do not consider project activities and inputs as sufficient in and of themselves—they have to produce developmental outcomes that respond to the stated needs of our clients and partners. We work with our partners to identify the results they want to achieve, reach consensus on the methodology for achieving them and together, we determine the roles and responsibilities each stakeholder needs to fulfill to reach goals and measure success. With desired results articulated and shared, we adjust activities and inputs so that developmental change can progress in a timely fashion.

Alinea is strongly committed to a capacity development approach in our work. This means we design and implement our projects in a way that empowers our partners to set their own development goals, improve their ability to meet these goals, and continue to apply best practices and knowledge gained through the project long after it ends, and thus take charge of their own development path

Our approach to monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is characterized by participation: we work with stakeholders to look at both developmental results and success factors. We conduct an objective analysis of issues affecting performance including: achievement of results; cost effectiveness; relevance; sustainability; partnership; appropriateness of design; and resource utilization and timely action. We have developed and implemented numerous M&E frameworks for projects that we manage, and provided M&E services for other projects, programs and organizational assessments.

Alinea applies an Adaptive Management methodology that integrates the type of learning that allows project teams and stakeholders to make informed decisions about future directions, and uses models that are agile and capable of responding to changing internal and external environments. Reflect and Refocus workshops bring together key program staff and stakeholders to analyze M&E data, reflect on changes in influence and stakeholders, critically assess the Theory of Change, identify strengths and weakness, and re-focus activities to adapt to changes, build on successes, and eliminate non-performing content.

Alinea provides experienced and skilled facilitators to support clients to achieve inclusive, solution-focused outcomes. Types of workshops include Program Design; Organization and Strategic Planning; Theory of Change and Program Logic development; Multi-stakeholder partnership development; Reflect and Refocus learning workshops; M&E and performance indicator design; Consultation workshops; Annual Planning; Risk and risk management; and Data Parties and write-shops. Alinea ensures workshops produce clear outcomes and action plans that can be taken forward collaboratively by those involved.

Strategic advice considers every aspect of a project. It takes a holistic view of a client’s situation and addresses their total needs, both now and in the future. It is a value proposition based on ongoing advice, coaching and mentoring to keep clients on track towards achieving their goals. Alinea conducts project reviews to identify key issues and barriers to provide effective solutions that support and enable change, working to build trust between key stakeholders and partners to recommend collaborative evidence based strategy.