In general, projects (timed packages of activities designed to allow progress towards defined objectives) produce material objects (outputs) and (importantly) allow institutional interactions that may generate 'change' in how 'things including development are done'.
Project size is defined variably. Often, implementation duration and funding, as well as the material objects delivered (a big dam, a trunk road, bridge etc) is what is used to define size.
While small (duration, funding, and outputs generated) bring change, one has to determine impact in relation to what a project leverages or enables. Using Zimbabwe's recent jobless urbanisation, which has led to trunk services (in water, sanitation, road and transport, etc.) falling short of demand, BIG projects are needed. Big here relates to all three broad dimensions above.
Global complexity is often an elite claim to justify inequality. This can be seen in the refusal by rich members (individuals and states) of the global society to pay for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and transformation. This is an example of where big projects are needed in clean industrialisation, adapting livelihoods to climate change exigencies, among others.
In short, scale matters and it is those two aspects of what's materially delivered and transformative power of projects that it must be designed and evaluated.
RE: Do Big Projects Deliver Effective Solutions in a Complex World?
Zimbabwe
Kudzai Chatiza
Researcher
Development Governance Institute
Posted on 09/04/2025
Dear Colleagues,
In general, projects (timed packages of activities designed to allow progress towards defined objectives) produce material objects (outputs) and (importantly) allow institutional interactions that may generate 'change' in how 'things including development are done'.
Project size is defined variably. Often, implementation duration and funding, as well as the material objects delivered (a big dam, a trunk road, bridge etc) is what is used to define size.
While small (duration, funding, and outputs generated) bring change, one has to determine impact in relation to what a project leverages or enables. Using Zimbabwe's recent jobless urbanisation, which has led to trunk services (in water, sanitation, road and transport, etc.) falling short of demand, BIG projects are needed. Big here relates to all three broad dimensions above.
Global complexity is often an elite claim to justify inequality. This can be seen in the refusal by rich members (individuals and states) of the global society to pay for climate change mitigation, adaptation, and transformation. This is an example of where big projects are needed in clean industrialisation, adapting livelihoods to climate change exigencies, among others.
In short, scale matters and it is those two aspects of what's materially delivered and transformative power of projects that it must be designed and evaluated.
Kudzai Chatiza (Mudombi) PhD.
Senior Development Researcher and Consultant
Development Governance Institute www.devgov.inst.org