Embracing Learning From Failure

In 2023, Ifaa struggled of enhancing its program implementation amidst economic, environmental, and political pressures, compounded by donor expectations for high-quality delivery. To address this, Ifaa adopted a CLA approach focused on learning from failure. 

Ifaa adopted this approach during the Refine and Implement phase, identifying and resolving gaps through evidence generation. Central to this was a "failure summit," fostering innovation and risk-taking by learning from setbacks. This summit enhanced psychological safety, allowing employees to discuss failures comfortably without fear of negative consequences. 

The CLA approach led to restructuring post-distribution monitoring surveys to a monthly schedule and incorporating tools like Pre-Mortem and after-action reviews. The distribution cycle starts with a Pre-Mortem, guiding the team to reflect on potential failures and inform improvement measures. At the end of each cycle, an AAR reflects on the distribution process and outcomes, devising improvement measures. Ifaa has embedded an issues tracker for all issues identified. These tools addressed issues identified in PDMs, significantly improving client satisfaction and commodity management processes. 

Supportive leadership, cohesive team dynamics, adequate budget, and strong technical guidance from CRS headquarters were crucial enablers. Robust partner engagement and active participation from technical teams enriched the reflection process. Initially, staff feared judgment, but this was overcome by emphasizing the successes achieved through learning from failures. 

As a result, Ifaa observed enhanced program implementation, increased staff engagement, and stronger stakeholder relationships. This holistic approach to learning and adapting has poised Ifaa for sustained growth, making learning from failure a cornerstone of its strategy.