Our Perspectives
Explore our latest insights and articles on technology, governance, and development.
accountability
The Monitor's Role - Verification and Learning
December 1, 2024
Discover how shifting the monitor's mindset from judgment to learning transforms monitoring into a powerful tool for objective verification and collaborative project improvement.
The Functional GRM - Verifying Accountability to Communities
November 15, 2022
Learn how to reliably verify a Grievance Redress Mechanism GRM s functionality by assessing its accessibility perceived fairness and effectiveness in leading to resolution ensuring true project accountability
Participatory Monitoring and Citizen Feedback
March 22, 2021
Discover a framework for participatory monitoring and citizen feedback that empowers communities to report on project performance enhancing transparency and fostering responsive accountable implementation
Verification with Purpose
March 17, 2020
Discover how to integrate accountability and adaptive learning in project verification systems transforming oversight from a compliance burden into a strategic asset for better outcomes
analytics
The Power of Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Data
May 16, 2022
Learn why integrating quantitative and qualitative data is crucial for understanding project outcomes explaining why things happen and driving actionable insights in development programs
How to automate fiscal and economic analytics for a country
April 11, 2019
Discover how to automate fiscal and economic analytics for governments. Create dynamic, data-driven reports with low-cost solutions & empower human analysis. Learn more!
How to do data-analytics on a shoestring
July 8, 2015
Learn to build robust data analytics from sparse sources in fragile and developing states. Overcome 'data-poverty' to drive effective institutional reform. Discover how!
How to analyze the public finance value chain?
June 21, 2015
Deconstruct complex public financial management systems using a value chain approach. Learn to define primary and supporting activities for effective PFM reform. Read more!
audit
Test Data Sets The Ultimate Lie Detector for Financial Software
June 25, 2025
Discover how curated test data sets can act as the ultimate lie detector for financial software, revealing hidden flaws and ensuring system robustness beyond "happy path" scenarios.
Auditing the Override Who Holds the Keys to Bypass Your Controls
June 18, 2025
Explore the critical risk of privileged user accounts in financial systems and why auditing them is paramount. Learn about the governance framework for managing superuser access to ensure fiduciary oversight.
Logic Mapping How to Draw a Blueprint of a Black Box System
March 8, 2025
Learn how logic mapping helps visually reconstruct opaque "black box" financial systems. This forensic approach uses empirical testing to create a blueprint of actual data flows and decision rules, revealing the true operational process.
Towards Verifiable Systems A New Standard for Development Sector Tech
January 20, 2025
Discover the "Verifiable System" standard for development sector tech, moving from reactive audits to proactive design. Learn about key attributes like exposed configuration, forensically sound audit trails, and dedicated monitoring APIs.
Looks Right Isn't a Control Does Your Payroll System Sanity-Check Itself
January 10, 2025
Discover why relying on subjective "looks right" assessments for payroll is a weak control. Learn how automated sanity checks can transform your payroll system into a resilient, active participant in financial oversight.
The Data Custody Chain Who Can See Change and Delete Your Financial Data
December 27, 2024
Understand the critical importance of the data custody chain in financial systems. Learn how to audit user access controls to ensure data integrity and enforce the principle of least privilege.
The Black Box of Modern Financial Auditing
November 20, 2024
Explore how traditional financial auditing methods fall short in verifying modern, automated financial processes run by software. Learn about new approaches for technical verification to ensure financial integrity.
The Tyranny of the Tiny Sample How We Mistake Guesswork for Assurance
November 20, 2024
Discover why relying on small, traditional audit samples is an outdated and risky practice in the digital age. Learn how modern data analytics enables full-population analysis for comprehensive and statistically valid assurance.
The Glass Box Mandate Why Donors Should Demand a Look Inside the Code
November 1, 2024
Learn why donors should adopt a "Glass Box Mandate," requiring transparent financial systems by design. This proactive approach enhances fiduciary oversight and accountability in the development sector, moving beyond reactive audits.
Show, Don't Tell Demanding Live Walkthroughs of Your System's Logic
October 20, 2024
Move beyond scripted software demos. Learn how to demand live walkthroughs of system logic under realistic conditions to conduct rigorous fiduciary due diligence and ensure operational integrity.
Auditing the Manual on the Shelf Closing the Gap Between De Jure Policy and De Facto Practice
October 1, 2024
Discover the critical gap between written policy (de jure) and actual practice (de facto) in financial audits. Learn empirical methods like direct observation and data reconciliation to assess real operational processes.
How to Prevent Ghost Vendors from Eating Your Project
September 9, 2024
Learn to identify and prevent Ghost Vendors in development projects from pure fraud to lemon deliveries with practical steps for rigorous verification and safeguarding funds
Auditing the Audit Trail Is Your System's Log Actually Useful?
August 10, 2024
Learn the critical difference between a basic system log and a forensically sound audit trail. Discover the five core attributes needed for a useful audit trail and how to test its integrity for true accountability.
Mitigating Fraud Risks in Data Collection
July 1, 2024
Learn a multi-layered framework to prevent, detect, and confirm data integrity risks, from enumerator fraud to community collusion, ensuring credible project outcomes.
Monitoring vs. Auditing in Development
June 25, 2024
Differentiate between monitoring and auditing in development projects understanding their distinct purposes methodologies and outputs for effective oversight and accountability
Physical Verification Best Practices
June 20, 2024
Explore best practices for rigorous physical verification of development project outputs from infrastructure and goods to services and individual transfers ensuring true accountability
Monitoring for Compliance with Environmental and Social Standards
June 18, 2024
Discover how to effectively monitor compliance with Environmental and Social Standards ESS including sensitive protection issues to ensure ethical and sustainable development outcomes
When Compliance is Just a Checkbox The Risk of Paper-Thin Tech Audits
May 15, 2024
Discover the dangers of superficial technology audits that only check boxes, leading to an illusion of security. Learn why substantive engagement with financial systems is crucial for real compliance and risk mitigation.
Fragile Systems, Fragile States Why Your Program Needs a Resilience Audit
April 10, 2024
Discover why retrospective financial audits are insufficient for programs in fragile states. Learn about the Resilience Audit, a forward-looking stress-testing framework designed to ensure operational continuity amidst exogenous shocks.
Case Study How a Logic Flaw Caused a 10 Percent Funding Misallocation
March 1, 2024
Explore a real-world case study where a minor logic flaw in a custom financial platform led to a significant 10% funding misallocation in a multi-million dollar public health program, highlighting the need for deep technical monitoring.
Rigorous Financial Monitoring in Development Projects
February 28, 2024
Explore a three-pillar framework for rigorous financial monitoring in development projects encompassing internal controls expenditure verification and physical verification to ensure fiduciary trust
A Non-Coder's Guide to Interrogating a Financial System
February 14, 2024
Learn how non-technical professionals can effectively interrogate and assess financial software systems without coding knowledge, ensuring robust oversight and mitigating risk.
How to Hire a Code Whisperer for Financial Audits
September 1, 2023
Learn the essential competencies for hiring a technical audit specialist who can effectively interrogate financial software systems. Discover key skills beyond coding for robust financial assurance.
The Code is the New Controller
August 15, 2023
Explore how software is increasingly taking on financial control functions, challenging traditional human oversight. Learn about the risks of algorithmic opacity and the need for technical assurance.
Ending the Tyranny of the Tiny Sample Why We Analyze 100 Percent of Transactions
July 7, 2023
Learn why relying on small audit samples is an outdated and risky practice. Discover how modern data analytics enables comprehensive, full-population analysis of transactions for superior financial assurance and risk detection.
Verifying Fiduciary Compliance
September 28, 2022
Explore a layered approach to fiduciary verification assessing internal controls tracing expenditures and verifying physical outputs to provide continuous assurance and support real-time risk management
Show Me Don't Tell Me Why Declarative Statements Are the Enemy of Effective Monitoring
May 27, 2022
Learn why accepting declarative statements in audits is insufficient. Discover how "Show me, don't tell me" fosters effective monitoring by demanding objective, system-generated evidence in a digital environment.
Before the First Stone is Laid Verifying the Integrity of Infrastructure Procurement
January 12, 2022
Learn why strategic assurance for infrastructure projects must begin with forensic analysis of the procurement process. Discover a framework for deep due diligence on bidders and tender specifications to mitigate upstream financial risks.
Beyond Fault-Finding Using Verification as a Constructive Diagnostic Tool
September 21, 2021
Reframe verification from fault-finding to a constructive diagnostic process. Learn how to identify systemic conditions and root causes of issues in development programs, fostering a collaborative learning loop for improvement.
Abyrint's Vision From Monitoring Actions to Verifying Logic
July 15, 2021
Discover Abyrint's vision for evolving monitoring from observing actions to verifying system logic. Learn about the four core pillars of their approach to ensure robust financial assurance in digitized aid delivery.
What Your Financial Audit Isn't Telling You Identifying the Hidden Operational Liabilities
April 3, 2021
Discover why a clean financial audit might mask significant operational liabilities. Learn to identify systemic weaknesses that threaten long-term program success, requiring a shift from retrospective compliance to strategic assurance.
Linking Financial Data with Physical Outputs
July 3, 2020
Learn how systematically linking financial data with physical output verification closes blind spots ensures value for money and provides complete fiduciary assurance in development projects
4 common pitfalls when identifying risks
August 18, 2017
Uncover 4 critical mistakes businesses make when identifying risks, especially in frontier markets. Learn to improve your risk management framework & avoid surprises. Read more!
3 models of Supreme Audit Institutions
March 18, 2016
Explore the 3 archetypal models of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs): Judicial, Parliamentarian, & Collegiate. Understand their legal and organizational differences for effective reform. Learn more!
How to build the audititor general office from scratch
March 18, 2016
Learn how to establish a robust Auditor General's office in low-capacity environments. Focus on legal frameworks, objectives, and practical growth strategies. Discover more!
Why audits fail to find fraud and corruption in foreign aid
June 20, 2015
Discover why standard audits often miss fraud & corruption in foreign aid, especially in fragile states. Learn about bespoke financial monitoring solutions. Read more!
automation
Looks Right Isn't a Control Does Your Payroll System Sanity-Check Itself
January 10, 2025
Discover why relying on subjective "looks right" assessments for payroll is a weak control. Learn how automated sanity checks can transform your payroll system into a resilient, active participant in financial oversight.
AI in Aid The Next Generation of Financial Black Boxes is Already Here
May 20, 2024
Explore how AI and Machine Learning are creating new, more complex "black boxes" in financial systems for aid. Understand the governance challenges and the need for explainable AI and human accountability.
The Code is the New Controller
August 15, 2023
Explore how software is increasingly taking on financial control functions, challenging traditional human oversight. Learn about the risks of algorithmic opacity and the need for technical assurance.
The Ethics of Automation in Development Finance
May 19, 2023
Explore the ethical challenges and risks of automating financial processes in development aid, focusing on the tension between efficiency and due process, embedded bias, and the dehumanization of aid delivery.
How to automate fiscal and economic analytics for a country
April 11, 2019
Discover how to automate fiscal and economic analytics for governments. Create dynamic, data-driven reports with low-cost solutions & empower human analysis. Learn more!
Organizing bottom-up digital automation
April 11, 2019
Maximize impact & sustainability of bottom-up digital automation. Learn to prioritize, foster collective solutions, & gain coding fluency for better results. Discover more!
3 practical concepts for bottom-up digital automation in government and business
April 11, 2019
Unlock 3 practical concepts for bottom-up digital automation in government & business. Drive efficiency, empower teams, & avoid chaos. Read more to discover!
Three reasons why robotic process automations will change governments in fragile states
April 11, 2019
Discover why Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is feasible & transformative for fragile state governments. Learn about accessible tech, low costs, & innovation drivers. Read more!
Robotic Process Automation of core government
April 11, 2019
Discover the power of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for governments. Automate repetitive tasks, reduce errors, & achieve quick ROI without rebuilding legacy systems. Learn more!
building
Physical Verification Best Practices
June 20, 2024
Explore best practices for rigorous physical verification of development project outputs from infrastructure and goods to services and individual transfers ensuring true accountability
3 critical skills for the change management team
December 11, 2017
Discover the 3 essential skill sets—experts, agile managers, & orchestrators—needed to build a high-impact government change management team. Find talent and drive reform! Learn more.
Rebuilding the State | block-by-block
December 11, 2017
Avoid 'bits and pieces' pitfalls when rebuilding fragile states. Learn how to design integrated, fit-for-purpose building blocks for sustainable government systems. Discover more!
How to select reform initiatives when rebuilding a failed state?
December 11, 2017
Prioritize reform initiatives when rebuilding a failed state. Discover 4 crucial criteria: value at stake, failure points, fittable solutions, & strong leadership. Learn more!
How to build the audititor general office from scratch
March 18, 2016
Learn how to establish a robust Auditor General's office in low-capacity environments. Focus on legal frameworks, objectives, and practical growth strategies. Discover more!
Case: Building the national payroll system in Somalia
June 29, 2015
Discover how Somalia rapidly built a national payroll system from scratch, transforming public financial management in a fragile state. Learn from this success story! Read more.
capacity
Empowering Implementing Partners Through Capacity Building
September 1, 2024
Redefine the Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) function as a vehicle for capacity building, strengthening local implementing partners and fostering sustainable development success.
Integrating Capacity Building into Verification Mandates
October 25, 2023
Explore a partnership model for Third-Party Monitoring that integrates capacity building into verification mandates fostering sustainable M and E systems and reducing dependency
Why Capable People and Good Intentions Fail in Fragile States
October 11, 2023
Explore why capable individuals in fragile and conflict-affected states struggle to translate good intentions into positive outcomes due to systemic issues and misaligned incentives
Building Capacity, Not Dependency, in Third-Party Monitoring
August 5, 2021
Discover a sustainable approach to Third-Party Monitoring TPM that systematically integrates verification with capacity building fostering partner self-reliance and long-term M&E strength
Do conventional capacity building, but do it well
August 21, 2017
Explore how conventional capacity building methods can drive performance in fragile states. Learn to balance capability investments with direct performance enhancements. Read more!
3 key concepts | Capacity, Capability and Performance
August 21, 2017
Understand the distinct meanings of capacity, capability, and performance in organizational strengthening. Learn how context impacts results & drives effective interventions. Discover more!
cash transfer
How to Physically Enumerate and Enroll People in the 21st Century
July 15, 2025
Learn practical approaches for physical enumeration and enrollment of people in the 21st century focusing on planning resources and fieldcraft for cash assistance and national ID programs
Monitoring Targeting and Delivery in Social Protection Programs
January 19, 2022
Explore a structured framework for monitoring social protection programs verifying accurate beneficiary targeting and reliable benefit delivery to ensure safety net integrity and effectiveness
Validating Emergency Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA)
September 27, 2021
Explore a rapid validation methodology for emergency CVA balancing speed with fiduciary and protection risks through concurrent multi modal data collection focusing on red flag indicators for real time risk management
Tracking Nutrition and Livelihood Interventions
June 18, 2021
Explore a dual focus framework for tracking nutrition and livelihood interventions verifying short term nutritional inputs and assessing long term livelihood adoption to build household resilience
change
Adaptability in Project Monitoring
June 28, 2025
Learn why adaptability is crucial for project monitoring in uncertain environments, shifting from static plans to dynamic, principle-based approaches that thrive amidst global shocks.
3 critical skills for the change management team
December 11, 2017
Discover the 3 essential skill sets—experts, agile managers, & orchestrators—needed to build a high-impact government change management team. Find talent and drive reform! Learn more.
5 stage framework for change management in fragile states
August 15, 2017
Implement successful reforms in fragile states with our 5-stage '5Ds' framework: Direction, Diagnose, Design, Deliver, Do. Achieve sustainable change. Learn more!
Rethinking Centre of Government units
March 18, 2016
Explore 4 archetypes of Centre of Government units and learn how to design effective units for policy, change leadership, delivery, or performance audit. Unlock government transformation! Read more.
5 ways to better problem solving in the world’s most difficult places
June 18, 2015
Navigate complex challenges in post-conflict regions. Discover 5 crucial factors for effective problem-solving in the world's toughest places. Unlock strategies for impact!
communication
New Voice in Beneficiary Feedback
September 10, 2024
Discover how IVR and chatbot surveys enhance beneficiary feedback mechanisms in development and humanitarian programs, ensuring wider reach and greater inclusivity.
How to Effectively Communicate Findings for Maximum Impact
April 10, 2024
Learn how to tailor communication of monitoring findings to different stakeholders generate actionable recommendations and use trackers to ensure maximum impact and drive programmatic change
community
The Rise of Citizen-Led Monitoring
June 1, 2025
Explore how Citizen-Led Monitoring (CLM) transforms development projects by engaging communities directly, improving data quality, and strengthening social accountability.
The Functional GRM - Verifying Accountability to Communities
November 15, 2022
Learn how to reliably verify a Grievance Redress Mechanism GRM s functionality by assessing its accessibility perceived fairness and effectiveness in leading to resolution ensuring true project accountability
Participatory Monitoring and Citizen Feedback
March 22, 2021
Discover a framework for participatory monitoring and citizen feedback that empowers communities to report on project performance enhancing transparency and fostering responsive accountable implementation
Corporate Social Responsibility and Local Impact
January 25, 2021
Learn about Abyrints integrated CSR approach prioritizing local sourcing ethical supply chains and investing in local professional ecosystems to create positive sustainable impact
compliance
When Compliance is Just a Checkbox The Risk of Paper-Thin Tech Audits
May 15, 2024
Discover the dangers of superficial technology audits that only check boxes, leading to an illusion of security. Learn why substantive engagement with financial systems is crucial for real compliance and risk mitigation.
Engineering Oversight in Infrastructure Projects
August 14, 2020
Explore a framework for engineering led oversight in infrastructure projects integrating technical expertise into monitoring for rigorous quality assurance and compliance with design specifications
conflict
The Triple Nexus in Practice A Framework for Verification in Humanitarian Development and Peacebuilding Contexts
June 26, 2025
Explore a verification framework for the Triple Nexus (Humanitarian-Development-Peace), moving beyond siloed monitoring. Learn how to assess interdependencies and strategic coherence across interventions in complex environments.
Monitoring in Conflict Zones
June 1, 2025
Explore the unique challenges of monitoring development programs in conflict zones and discover a pragmatic framework integrating security, political analysis, and multi-source data for effective oversight.
The Art of Access in Restricted Environments
August 1, 2024
Learn the art of securing and maintaining access for fieldwork in fragile and conflict-affected states, focusing on local negotiation, trust-building, and impartiality.
Trusted Monitoring in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations
June 14, 2023
Explore a framework for trusted monitoring in FCAS emphasizing mandated independence systematic triangulation and proportionality of effort to ensure credible verifiable data in complex environments
The Role of Local Networks in Remote Monitoring
April 1, 2023
Discover how cultivating trusted local networks provides essential human intelligence for remote monitoring in fragile and conflict-affected situations overcoming access barriers and enhancing data reliability
5 ways to better problem solving in the world’s most difficult places
June 18, 2015
Navigate complex challenges in post-conflict regions. Discover 5 crucial factors for effective problem-solving in the world's toughest places. Unlock strategies for impact!
corruption
How to Prevent Ghost Vendors from Eating Your Project
September 9, 2024
Learn to identify and prevent Ghost Vendors in development projects from pure fraud to lemon deliveries with practical steps for rigorous verification and safeguarding funds
Why audits fail to find fraud and corruption in foreign aid
June 20, 2015
Discover why standard audits often miss fraud & corruption in foreign aid, especially in fragile states. Learn about bespoke financial monitoring solutions. Read more!
Ghost workers: Who are they and how to deal with them
June 17, 2015
Uncover the truth about 'ghost workers' in government and business payrolls. Learn to identify types, who profits, and practical control solutions. Read more to combat fraud!
data
How to Physically Enumerate and Enroll People in the 21st Century
July 15, 2025
Learn practical approaches for physical enumeration and enrollment of people in the 21st century focusing on planning resources and fieldcraft for cash assistance and national ID programs
The Workaround IS the Workflow Finding Risk in Post-it Notes and Unofficial Spreadsheets
June 28, 2025
Discover how informal workarounds and "Shadow IT" like Post-it notes and unofficial spreadsheets reveal critical risks and expose the true, de facto workflows in organizations.
The Future of Fieldwork is Digital
June 25, 2025
Explore how digital data collection using mobile tools transforms fieldwork by improving data quality, efficiency, and real-time availability in development projects.
Test Data Sets The Ultimate Lie Detector for Financial Software
June 25, 2025
Discover how curated test data sets can act as the ultimate lie detector for financial software, revealing hidden flaws and ensuring system robustness beyond "happy path" scenarios.
Logic Mapping How to Draw a Blueprint of a Black Box System
March 8, 2025
Learn how logic mapping helps visually reconstruct opaque "black box" financial systems. This forensic approach uses empirical testing to create a blueprint of actual data flows and decision rules, revealing the true operational process.
Designing Integrated Dashboards for Decision-Makers
January 6, 2025
Learn principles for designing integrated dashboards that synthesize complex financial physical and programmatic data into clear actionable insights for timely decision-making in development projects
The Data Custody Chain Who Can See Change and Delete Your Financial Data
December 27, 2024
Understand the critical importance of the data custody chain in financial systems. Learn how to audit user access controls to ensure data integrity and enforce the principle of least privilege.
The Tyranny of the Tiny Sample How We Mistake Guesswork for Assurance
November 20, 2024
Discover why relying on small, traditional audit samples is an outdated and risky practice in the digital age. Learn how modern data analytics enables full-population analysis for comprehensive and statistically valid assurance.
The Power of an Integrated Digital Platform for Monitoring Data
October 20, 2024
Discover how an integrated digital platform unifies diverse project data, enabling real-time insights, enhanced transparency, and data-driven decisions for complex development projects.
From Data to Decision - Actionable Monitoring Insights
October 12, 2024
Learn how to transform monitoring efforts into actionable insights by focusing on brevity relevance and visualization ensuring data drives effective project management decisions
Auditing the Manual on the Shelf Closing the Gap Between De Jure Policy and De Facto Practice
October 1, 2024
Discover the critical gap between written policy (de jure) and actual practice (de facto) in financial audits. Learn empirical methods like direct observation and data reconciliation to assess real operational processes.
New Voice in Beneficiary Feedback
September 10, 2024
Discover how IVR and chatbot surveys enhance beneficiary feedback mechanisms in development and humanitarian programs, ensuring wider reach and greater inclusivity.
Seeing is Believing Forging an Unbreakable Link Between Financial Data and Geospatial Reality
August 30, 2024
Learn how data triangulation creates a robust link between financial records and physical assets in development aid. Discover how combining financial, geospatial, and multimedia data provides verifiable proof of impact, especially in challenging environments.
Auditing the Audit Trail Is Your System's Log Actually Useful?
August 10, 2024
Learn the critical difference between a basic system log and a forensically sound audit trail. Discover the five core attributes needed for a useful audit trail and how to test its integrity for true accountability.
Mitigating Fraud Risks in Data Collection
July 1, 2024
Learn a multi-layered framework to prevent, detect, and confirm data integrity risks, from enumerator fraud to community collusion, ensuring credible project outcomes.
Physical Verification Best Practices
June 20, 2024
Explore best practices for rigorous physical verification of development project outputs from infrastructure and goods to services and individual transfers ensuring true accountability
Real-Time Decisions in Volatile Settings
June 10, 2024
Learn how adaptive management and real-time data systems empower project managers to make informed, timely decisions in volatile environments, improving project outcomes.
Satellite Imagery for Project Oversight
May 28, 2024
Discover how satellite imagery and remote sensing provide objective, persistent project oversight in challenging environments, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Logic Mapping How to Visually Reconstruct Your Tech-Driven Process
April 5, 2024
Learn how logic mapping can help visually reconstruct and understand complex tech-driven financial processes. This guide offers practical steps to diagram system workflows for enhanced oversight and risk identification.
Mobilizing Female Surveyors for Inclusive Data
March 1, 2024
Learn why deploying female surveyors is a methodological imperative for collecting credible, inclusive data on sensitive issues in diverse cultural contexts.
Case Study How a Logic Flaw Caused a 10 Percent Funding Misallocation
March 1, 2024
Explore a real-world case study where a minor logic flaw in a custom financial platform led to a significant 10% funding misallocation in a multi-million dollar public health program, highlighting the need for deep technical monitoring.
Data Governance and Compliance in Challenging Environments
January 30, 2024
Explore a practical framework for data governance and compliance in fragile and conflict-affected states translating global standards like GDPR into robust contextually appropriate field protocols
From Complaint to Course Correction Turning Grievance Data into Actionable Intelligence
December 21, 2023
Learn how to transform Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) data from reactive complaint resolution into a proactive source of actionable intelligence for adaptive management and continuous program improvement.
Calibrating the Human Instrument A Systems Approach to Enumerator Quality and Fraud Mitigation
September 14, 2023
Learn how to professionalize field data collection by treating enumerators as human instruments. Discover a systems approach to quality control, including rigorous onboarding and multi-layered, technology-driven quality assurance for fraud mitigation.
Ending the Tyranny of the Tiny Sample Why We Analyze 100 Percent of Transactions
July 7, 2023
Learn why relying on small audit samples is an outdated and risky practice. Discover how modern data analytics enables comprehensive, full-population analysis of transactions for superior financial assurance and risk detection.
The Access Advantage Why a Gender-Balanced Field Force is a Methodological Imperative
April 1, 2023
Discover why a gender-balanced field force is a non-negotiable methodological imperative for accurate data collection in challenging environments. Learn how it overcomes structural barriers to access and mitigates sampling bias.
The Role of Local Networks in Remote Monitoring
April 1, 2023
Discover how cultivating trusted local networks provides essential human intelligence for remote monitoring in fragile and conflict-affected situations overcoming access barriers and enhancing data reliability
The Institutional Memory Gap Using Longitudinal Data to Justify Long-Term Investment
February 10, 2023
Explore how the institutional memory gap in donor agencies hinders long-term investment. Learn how longitudinal data from independent monitoring can bridge this gap, providing a robust evidence base for strategic, sustainable aid.
Your Systems Exception Log The Autobiography of Your De Facto Process
December 24, 2022
Discover how your system's error and exception log is a powerful, underutilized source of intelligence about actual operational workflows. Learn to analyze these logs to reveal the true "autobiography" of your processes and identify hidden risks.
Show Me Don't Tell Me Why Declarative Statements Are the Enemy of Effective Monitoring
May 27, 2022
Learn why accepting declarative statements in audits is insufficient. Discover how "Show me, don't tell me" fosters effective monitoring by demanding objective, system-generated evidence in a digital environment.
The Power of Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Data
May 16, 2022
Learn why integrating quantitative and qualitative data is crucial for understanding project outcomes explaining why things happen and driving actionable insights in development programs
Using Geospatial and Multimedia Tools for Enhanced Verification
April 9, 2022
Learn how to integrate geospatial and multimedia tools into monitoring workflows to corroborate reported findings mitigate bias and achieve a higher standard of proof for project verification
Blockchain and Aid Ultimate Transparency or Just a More Complicated Black Box
November 4, 2021
Explore the promises and challenges of blockchain in international aid, questioning if it offers true transparency or a more complex "black box." Discuss the "oracle problem" and governance of smart contracts.
Linking Financial Data with Physical Outputs
July 3, 2020
Learn how systematically linking financial data with physical output verification closes blind spots ensures value for money and provides complete fiduciary assurance in development projects
Upholding Data Protection and Privacy
July 3, 2020
Learn about our end-to-end data governance framework from collection to destruction ensuring the highest standards of data protection and privacy aligned with GDPR
Remote Data Collection - Utility of IVR, WhatsApp, and Chatbot Tools
June 20, 2020
Assess the utility of IVR WhatsApp and chatbot tools for remote data collection in access-constrained environments navigating digital literacy privacy and survey design for meaningful ethical insights
Pragmatic Data Systems for Real Time Decision Support
January 4, 2020
Learn how to design a pragmatic data pipeline that shortens the cycle from collection to analysis providing timely reliable information for real time decision making in project management
Triangulation and Trust - The Methodological Core of Technical Excellence in Data Verification
November 19, 2019
Explore how systematic triangulation cross referencing multiple independent data streams builds trust and defensible assessments overcoming the limitations of single data sources in complex environments
A Unified Platform - Integrating Data Streams for Secure Monitoring
October 13, 2019
Explore how a unified digital platform solves data fragmentation by securely integrating diverse data streams enabling cross analysis enhancing security and establishing a single source of truth for project oversight
Linking Financial Data to Physical Verification
April 30, 2019
Discover how to systematically link financial data with on-the-ground physical verification closing blind spots and ensuring every expenditure is traced to a tangible verified result for true assurance
How to automate fiscal and economic analytics for a country
April 11, 2019
Discover how to automate fiscal and economic analytics for governments. Create dynamic, data-driven reports with low-cost solutions & empower human analysis. Learn more!
How to do data-analytics on a shoestring
July 8, 2015
Learn to build robust data analytics from sparse sources in fragile and developing states. Overcome 'data-poverty' to drive effective institutional reform. Discover how!
Smarter procurement policy in developing countries
June 21, 2015
Discover how data analytics can transform procurement policy in developing countries. Learn to optimize thresholds, procedures, & risk strategies for efficiency & transparency. Read more!
dataprotection
Data Security by Design - End-to-End Encryption and Access Controls
May 5, 2024
Explore a "Security by Design" framework, detailing end-to-end encryption and strict access controls to protect sensitive project data from collection to destruction, ensuring ethical handling and compliance.
Upholding Data Protection and Privacy
July 3, 2020
Learn about our end-to-end data governance framework from collection to destruction ensuring the highest standards of data protection and privacy aligned with GDPR
design
4 approaches to redesign of core government functions
December 11, 2017
Explore 4 approaches to rebuilding government systems in fragile states: temporary fixes, experiments, building blocks, & load-bearing elements. Maximize reform impact! Learn more.
Design reforms to deliver value quickly
December 11, 2017
Discover how to design minimum viable solutions for government reforms in fragile states to deliver quick, impactful value. Avoid common pitfalls & sustain momentum. Learn more!
development
How to Physically Enumerate and Enroll People in the 21st Century
July 15, 2025
Learn practical approaches for physical enumeration and enrollment of people in the 21st century focusing on planning resources and fieldcraft for cash assistance and national ID programs
Investment-Grade Due Diligence for Development Aid Applying Investor Rigor to Major Programs
June 29, 2025
Learn how applying investment-grade due diligence to development aid programs goes beyond basic compliance. Discover a holistic, forward-looking assessment of operational models, technology, governance, and resilience for strategic assurance.
The Triple Nexus in Practice A Framework for Verification in Humanitarian Development and Peacebuilding Contexts
June 26, 2025
Explore a verification framework for the Triple Nexus (Humanitarian-Development-Peace), moving beyond siloed monitoring. Learn how to assess interdependencies and strategic coherence across interventions in complex environments.
The Future of Fieldwork is Digital
June 25, 2025
Explore how digital data collection using mobile tools transforms fieldwork by improving data quality, efficiency, and real-time availability in development projects.
The Rise of Citizen-Led Monitoring
June 1, 2025
Explore how Citizen-Led Monitoring (CLM) transforms development projects by engaging communities directly, improving data quality, and strengthening social accountability.
More Than Concrete A Framework for Verifying Environmental and Social Safeguards in Construction
May 22, 2025
Discover a multi-method framework for verifying Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) in construction projects, extending beyond traditional metrics. Learn how unannounced site inspections, community feedback, and worker interviews ensure responsible and sustainable development outcomes.
The Crucial Role of Independent Verification in Development Aid
November 15, 2024
Discover why independent verification and Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) are essential for ensuring accountability, improving programs, and mitigating risks in global development aid.
From Findings to Functionality Co-Creating an Actionable Roadmap for Improvement
October 5, 2024
Learn how to translate audit findings into actionable improvements through collaborative roadmap creation. Discover a framework for validating, prioritizing, and assigning ownership to corrective actions for sustainable change.
Empowering Implementing Partners Through Capacity Building
September 1, 2024
Redefine the Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) function as a vehicle for capacity building, strengthening local implementing partners and fostering sustainable development success.
Seeing is Believing Forging an Unbreakable Link Between Financial Data and Geospatial Reality
August 30, 2024
Learn how data triangulation creates a robust link between financial records and physical assets in development aid. Discover how combining financial, geospatial, and multimedia data provides verifiable proof of impact, especially in challenging environments.
Cross-Sectoral Expertise in Monitoring
June 25, 2024
Explore how cross-sectoral expertise in monitoring reveals deeper insights by connecting financial data with physical outputs ensuring a holistic understanding of development challenges and outcomes
Fragile Systems, Fragile States Why Your Program Needs a Resilience Audit
April 10, 2024
Discover why retrospective financial audits are insufficient for programs in fragile states. Learn about the Resilience Audit, a forward-looking stress-testing framework designed to ensure operational continuity amidst exogenous shocks.
Mobilizing Female Surveyors for Inclusive Data
March 1, 2024
Learn why deploying female surveyors is a methodological imperative for collecting credible, inclusive data on sensitive issues in diverse cultural contexts.
The Dual-Use Framework A Practical Guide to Verifying Aid That Delivers for Today and Builds for Tomorrow
February 5, 2024
Learn about the "Dual-Use" Verification Framework for humanitarian aid, designed to measure both immediate effectiveness and contribution to local capacity. Move beyond anecdote to evidence for transparent, nexus-aligned programming.
The Ethics of Automation in Development Finance
May 19, 2023
Explore the ethical challenges and risks of automating financial processes in development aid, focusing on the tension between efficiency and due process, embedded bias, and the dehumanization of aid delivery.
The Access Advantage Why a Gender-Balanced Field Force is a Methodological Imperative
April 1, 2023
Discover why a gender-balanced field force is a non-negotiable methodological imperative for accurate data collection in challenging environments. Learn how it overcomes structural barriers to access and mitigates sampling bias.
The Institutional Memory Gap Using Longitudinal Data to Justify Long-Term Investment
February 10, 2023
Explore how the institutional memory gap in donor agencies hinders long-term investment. Learn how longitudinal data from independent monitoring can bridge this gap, providing a robust evidence base for strategic, sustainable aid.
The Canary in the Coal Mine Why a Functional GRM is Your First Line of Defense Against Safeguarding Failures
October 16, 2022
Discover why a functional Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is the critical early warning system for safeguarding failures, including SEAH, in development programs. Learn about core attributes for a survivor-centric and effective GRM.
Beyond the Logframe Designing Monitoring Frameworks for a Complex Interconnected World
March 18, 2022
Explore why the linear logframe is insufficient for monitoring complex development projects in interconnected environments. Learn to design systems-based M&E frameworks that monitor critical dependencies and cross-sectoral interfaces for true impact.
Monitoring Targeting and Delivery in Social Protection Programs
January 19, 2022
Explore a structured framework for monitoring social protection programs verifying accurate beneficiary targeting and reliable benefit delivery to ensure safety net integrity and effectiveness
The White Elephant Risk Why Post-Completion Verification is Non-Negotiable
November 30, 2021
Understand the "white elephant" risk in infrastructure projects—assets built but not utilized. Learn why post-completion verification is crucial to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid financing non-viable projects.
Every Crisis an Opportunity Designing Humanitarian Aid That Builds Not Bypasses
September 21, 2021
Learn how to design humanitarian aid that simultaneously builds local capacity rather than bypassing it. Explore a "systems-aware" framework for responsible response in protracted crises, fostering long-term institutional strengthening.
Tracking Nutrition and Livelihood Interventions
June 18, 2021
Explore a dual focus framework for tracking nutrition and livelihood interventions verifying short term nutritional inputs and assessing long term livelihood adoption to build household resilience
Corporate Social Responsibility and Local Impact
January 25, 2021
Learn about Abyrints integrated CSR approach prioritizing local sourcing ethical supply chains and investing in local professional ecosystems to create positive sustainable impact
Three signs of fundamental recovery in Somalia
January 23, 2018
Discover three key indicators of Somalia's fundamental recovery: booming bank assets, doubled government revenue, & consistent salary payments. Explore the positive outlook!
Do conventional capacity building, but do it well
August 21, 2017
Explore how conventional capacity building methods can drive performance in fragile states. Learn to balance capability investments with direct performance enhancements. Read more!
Leapfrogging technology in fragile states
November 12, 2015
Explore the reality of technology leapfrogging in fragile states. While tech spreads fast, intensity of use varies. Discover opportunities & challenges. Read more!
How to do financial monitoring of development aid
June 20, 2015
Explore 3 archetypal models for financial monitoring of foreign aid: Control, Coordination, & Change. Reduce risk, improve programs, & build capacity in developing countries. Learn more!
How to solve the global de-risking problem for remittances
February 9, 2015
Address the global de-risking problem for remittances. Discover structural solutions & prioritize familiar actions for robust financial sectors in developing countries. Unlock sustainable flows!
environment
More Than Concrete A Framework for Verifying Environmental and Social Safeguards in Construction
May 22, 2025
Discover a multi-method framework for verifying Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) in construction projects, extending beyond traditional metrics. Learn how unannounced site inspections, community feedback, and worker interviews ensure responsible and sustainable development outcomes.
Monitoring for Compliance with Environmental and Social Standards
June 18, 2024
Discover how to effectively monitor compliance with Environmental and Social Standards ESS including sensitive protection issues to ensure ethical and sustainable development outcomes
Tracking Nutrition and Livelihood Interventions
June 18, 2021
Explore a dual focus framework for tracking nutrition and livelihood interventions verifying short term nutritional inputs and assessing long term livelihood adoption to build household resilience
Framework for Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) Management
December 9, 2020
Explore a structured four stage framework for dynamic ESS risk management integrating stakeholder engagement to proactively identify assess mitigate and monitor environmental and social impacts in projects
ethics
The Ethics of Automation in Development Finance
May 19, 2023
Explore the ethical challenges and risks of automating financial processes in development aid, focusing on the tension between efficiency and due process, embedded bias, and the dehumanization of aid delivery.
The Monitors Dilemma Navigating the Ethics of Being Both Partner and Verifier
August 4, 2022
Explore the ethical dilemma faced by independent monitors balancing roles as collaborative partners and rigorous verifiers. Learn a framework for decision-making based on materiality, intent, and systemic issues, ensuring transparency and accountability.
finance
Investment-Grade Due Diligence for Development Aid Applying Investor Rigor to Major Programs
June 29, 2025
Learn how applying investment-grade due diligence to development aid programs goes beyond basic compliance. Discover a holistic, forward-looking assessment of operational models, technology, governance, and resilience for strategic assurance.
De-risking Development with Integrated Monitoring
May 15, 2025
Learn how integrated financial and physical monitoring protects development investments in high-risk environments, preventing fraud and ensuring effective project delivery.
From Controller to Systems Analyst The Evolving Skill Set of the Modern Finance Professional
December 1, 2024
Explore how the role of a finance professional is transforming from traditional controller to systems analyst. Discover the new core competencies required to effectively oversee technology-driven financial processes.
The Black Box of Modern Financial Auditing
November 20, 2024
Explore how traditional financial auditing methods fall short in verifying modern, automated financial processes run by software. Learn about new approaches for technical verification to ensure financial integrity.
How to Prevent Ghost Vendors from Eating Your Project
September 9, 2024
Learn to identify and prevent Ghost Vendors in development projects from pure fraud to lemon deliveries with practical steps for rigorous verification and safeguarding funds
Case Study How a Logic Flaw Caused a 10 Percent Funding Misallocation
March 1, 2024
Explore a real-world case study where a minor logic flaw in a custom financial platform led to a significant 10% funding misallocation in a multi-million dollar public health program, highlighting the need for deep technical monitoring.
Rigorous Financial Monitoring in Development Projects
February 28, 2024
Explore a three-pillar framework for rigorous financial monitoring in development projects encompassing internal controls expenditure verification and physical verification to ensure fiduciary trust
The Code is the New Controller
August 15, 2023
Explore how software is increasingly taking on financial control functions, challenging traditional human oversight. Learn about the risks of algorithmic opacity and the need for technical assurance.
The Excel Macro That Ran a Multi-Million Dollar Program
January 10, 2023
Discover the hidden risks of relying on complex Excel spreadsheets and macros for critical financial processes. Learn why these "shadow IT" tools require proper governance and independent verification.
Verifying Fiduciary Compliance
September 28, 2022
Explore a layered approach to fiduciary verification assessing internal controls tracing expenditures and verifying physical outputs to provide continuous assurance and support real-time risk management
Before the First Stone is Laid Verifying the Integrity of Infrastructure Procurement
January 12, 2022
Learn why strategic assurance for infrastructure projects must begin with forensic analysis of the procurement process. Discover a framework for deep due diligence on bidders and tender specifications to mitigate upstream financial risks.
Linking Financial Data with Physical Outputs
July 3, 2020
Learn how systematically linking financial data with physical output verification closes blind spots ensures value for money and provides complete fiduciary assurance in development projects
How a Financial Verification Became the Catalyst for System-Wide Reform
July 29, 2019
Discover a case study where routine financial verification evolved into system-wide reform for a national health program. Learn how data-driven diagnostics and collaborative root cause analysis led to sustainable process improvements.
Linking Financial Data to Physical Verification
April 30, 2019
Discover how to systematically link financial data with on-the-ground physical verification closing blind spots and ensuring every expenditure is traced to a tangible verified result for true assurance
Three signs of fundamental recovery in Somalia
January 23, 2018
Discover three key indicators of Somalia's fundamental recovery: booming bank assets, doubled government revenue, & consistent salary payments. Explore the positive outlook!
How to develop strategies for Security Sector Finance?
December 11, 2017
Develop effective security sector finance strategies for fragile states. Address misalignment of objectives, force structure, & funding to build sustainable security. Learn more!
How to analyze the public finance value chain?
June 21, 2015
Deconstruct complex public financial management systems using a value chain approach. Learn to define primary and supporting activities for effective PFM reform. Read more!
How to do financial monitoring of development aid
June 20, 2015
Explore 3 archetypal models for financial monitoring of foreign aid: Control, Coordination, & Change. Reduce risk, improve programs, & build capacity in developing countries. Learn more!
How to solve the global de-risking problem for remittances
February 9, 2015
Address the global de-risking problem for remittances. Discover structural solutions & prioritize familiar actions for robust financial sectors in developing countries. Unlock sustainable flows!
fraud
Why audits fail to find fraud and corruption in foreign aid
June 20, 2015
Discover why standard audits often miss fraud & corruption in foreign aid, especially in fragile states. Learn about bespoke financial monitoring solutions. Read more!
Ghost workers: Who are they and how to deal with them
June 17, 2015
Uncover the truth about 'ghost workers' in government and business payrolls. Learn to identify types, who profits, and practical control solutions. Read more to combat fraud!
governance
The Functional GRM - Verifying Accountability to Communities
November 15, 2022
Learn how to reliably verify a Grievance Redress Mechanism GRM s functionality by assessing its accessibility perceived fairness and effectiveness in leading to resolution ensuring true project accountability
Rebuilding the State | block-by-block
December 11, 2017
Avoid 'bits and pieces' pitfalls when rebuilding fragile states. Learn how to design integrated, fit-for-purpose building blocks for sustainable government systems. Discover more!
3 models of Supreme Audit Institutions
March 18, 2016
Explore the 3 archetypal models of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs): Judicial, Parliamentarian, & Collegiate. Understand their legal and organizational differences for effective reform. Learn more!
Rethinking Centre of Government units
March 18, 2016
Explore 4 archetypes of Centre of Government units and learn how to design effective units for policy, change leadership, delivery, or performance audit. Unlock government transformation! Read more.
How to build the audititor general office from scratch
March 18, 2016
Learn how to establish a robust Auditor General's office in low-capacity environments. Focus on legal frameworks, objectives, and practical growth strategies. Discover more!
government
The Pragmatists Case for the Monolith Reassessing Architectural Risk in Low-Capacity States
June 10, 2025
Explore the pragmatic argument for monolithic financial systems in low-capacity states. This article re-evaluates architectural risks, arguing that basic fiscal control and centralized accountability may outweigh the pursuit of modular agility in certain contexts.
The Bricked-Up Door Why Public Finance Discourse Fails to See That Code is Law
November 20, 2024
Explore why public finance management (PFM) often struggles to acknowledge that code is the true law in digital systems. Understand the cultural chasm between legal frameworks and technological reality in government institutions.
The Blueprint and the Building Re-imagining Public Finance in the Digital Age
November 20, 2024
Explore how public financial management must recognize that digital system architecture and code are the true embodiment of financial rules, moving beyond outdated paper-based models for agile and transparent governance.
The Glass Box Mandate Why Donors Should Demand a Look Inside the Code
November 1, 2024
Learn why donors should adopt a "Glass Box Mandate," requiring transparent financial systems by design. This proactive approach enhances fiduciary oversight and accountability in the development sector, moving beyond reactive audits.
The Myth of the Monolith The World is Already Modular
August 5, 2024
Debunk the myth of monolithic financial systems in public finance modernization Discover how OECD data reveals a global shift towards modular interconnected digital ecosystems aligning with modern GovTech principles
The Monolith and the Federation A Core Architectural Choice in Public Finance
June 25, 2024
Explore the strategic choice between monolithic and federated architectural models for Public Financial Management (PFM) systems. Analyze the risks and benefits of centralized vs. decentralized approaches for government financial control and agility.
Monoliths vs Modular Systems A Strategic Framework for Public Finance Architecture
June 25, 2024
Explore the strategic choice between monolithic and modular architectures for public financial management (PFM) systems. Learn why a federated, API-driven approach offers greater agility, resilience, and better governance for modern states.
Why Capable People and Good Intentions Fail in Fragile States
October 11, 2023
Explore why capable individuals in fragile and conflict-affected states struggle to translate good intentions into positive outcomes due to systemic issues and misaligned incentives
Three reasons why robotic process automations will change governments in fragile states
April 11, 2019
Discover why Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is feasible & transformative for fragile state governments. Learn about accessible tech, low costs, & innovation drivers. Read more!
Robotic Process Automation of core government
April 11, 2019
Discover the power of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for governments. Automate repetitive tasks, reduce errors, & achieve quick ROI without rebuilding legacy systems. Learn more!
Three signs of fundamental recovery in Somalia
January 23, 2018
Discover three key indicators of Somalia's fundamental recovery: booming bank assets, doubled government revenue, & consistent salary payments. Explore the positive outlook!
4 approaches to redesign of core government functions
December 11, 2017
Explore 4 approaches to rebuilding government systems in fragile states: temporary fixes, experiments, building blocks, & load-bearing elements. Maximize reform impact! Learn more.
Design reforms to deliver value quickly
December 11, 2017
Discover how to design minimum viable solutions for government reforms in fragile states to deliver quick, impactful value. Avoid common pitfalls & sustain momentum. Learn more!
Rethinking Centre of Government units
March 18, 2016
Explore 4 archetypes of Centre of Government units and learn how to design effective units for policy, change leadership, delivery, or performance audit. Unlock government transformation! Read more.
health & education
A Framework for Education Sector Monitoring
December 30, 2023
Explore a multi dimensional framework for education sector monitoring that verifies resources assesses teaching quality measures learning outcomes and gauges community engagement for true impact
A Systems Approach to Health Monitoring
July 8, 2019
Explore a multi layer framework for systemic health monitoring in fragile states verifying supply chain integrity clinical service quality HMIS data and community perceptions to ensure robust health outcomes
infrastructure
More Than Concrete A Framework for Verifying Environmental and Social Safeguards in Construction
May 22, 2025
Discover a multi-method framework for verifying Environmental and Social Safeguards (ESS) in construction projects, extending beyond traditional metrics. Learn how unannounced site inspections, community feedback, and worker interviews ensure responsible and sustainable development outcomes.
Before the First Stone is Laid Verifying the Integrity of Infrastructure Procurement
January 12, 2022
Learn why strategic assurance for infrastructure projects must begin with forensic analysis of the procurement process. Discover a framework for deep due diligence on bidders and tender specifications to mitigate upstream financial risks.
The White Elephant Risk Why Post-Completion Verification is Non-Negotiable
November 30, 2021
Understand the "white elephant" risk in infrastructure projects—assets built but not utilized. Learn why post-completion verification is crucial to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid financing non-viable projects.
Engineering Oversight in Infrastructure Projects
August 14, 2020
Explore a framework for engineering led oversight in infrastructure projects integrating technical expertise into monitoring for rigorous quality assurance and compliance with design specifications
Manage investments under extreme uncertainty
August 18, 2017
Master investment decisions in high-risk environments. Explore strategies balancing uncertainty and commitment, leveraging knowledge, and portfolio approaches. Unlock smarter investments now!
Kick-start infrastructure investments in a fragile state
October 27, 2015
Learn how to launch successful infrastructure programs in fragile states from scratch. Discover key lessons on design, uncertainty, bilateral aid, & emergency funding. Read more!
innovation & learning
The Monitor's Role - Verification and Learning
December 1, 2024
Discover how shifting the monitor's mindset from judgment to learning transforms monitoring into a powerful tool for objective verification and collaborative project improvement.
A Framework for Education Sector Monitoring
December 30, 2023
Explore a multi dimensional framework for education sector monitoring that verifies resources assesses teaching quality measures learning outcomes and gauges community engagement for true impact
Verification with Purpose
March 17, 2020
Discover how to integrate accountability and adaptive learning in project verification systems transforming oversight from a compliance burden into a strategic asset for better outcomes
Organizing bottom-up digital automation
April 11, 2019
Maximize impact & sustainability of bottom-up digital automation. Learn to prioritize, foster collective solutions, & gain coding fluency for better results. Discover more!
3 practical concepts for bottom-up digital automation in government and business
April 11, 2019
Unlock 3 practical concepts for bottom-up digital automation in government & business. Drive efficiency, empower teams, & avoid chaos. Read more to discover!
Leapfrogging technology in fragile states
November 12, 2015
Explore the reality of technology leapfrogging in fragile states. While tech spreads fast, intensity of use varies. Discover opportunities & challenges. Read more!
management
The Workaround IS the Workflow Finding Risk in Post-it Notes and Unofficial Spreadsheets
June 28, 2025
Discover how informal workarounds and "Shadow IT" like Post-it notes and unofficial spreadsheets reveal critical risks and expose the true, de facto workflows in organizations.
Designing for Reality How to Structure a Monitoring Engagement in a Politically Complex World
June 27, 2025
Learn how to structure monitoring engagements in politically complex environments to ensure rigor and maintain productive relationships. Discover essential pillars for transparent terms of reference, data access, and communication protocols.
Security and Business Continuity for Field Teams
June 5, 2025
Learn how integrating Security Risk Management (SRM) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is crucial for protecting field teams and ensuring mission resilience in challenging environments.
Is Your Process Improvement Just Deeper Obfuscation?
May 10, 2025
Digitizing flawed processes without critical analysis can lead to deeper obfuscation and new risks. Discover why process rationalization must precede technology to achieve true digital transformation.
Duty of Care is Non-Negotiable Our Security Framework for Field Operations in High-Risk Environments
May 3, 2025
Learn about the non-negotiable duty of care in field operations within high-risk environments. Discover a systematic, proactive, and multi-layered security framework for protecting personnel and ensuring data integrity.
It's a Known Bug Why This is the Scariest Phrase in Financial Tech
April 10, 2025
Discover why the phrase "known bug" is a critical governance signal in financial tech. Learn how to formally manage, assess, and mitigate risks from unaddressed software flaws for robust fiduciary oversight.
Who Owns the Algorithm Establishing Governance for Your Financial Tech
February 1, 2025
Explore the accountability vacuum created by automated financial processes and learn how to establish clear governance frameworks, including RACI matrix application, for algorithmic ownership.
Designing Integrated Dashboards for Decision-Makers
January 6, 2025
Learn principles for designing integrated dashboards that synthesize complex financial physical and programmatic data into clear actionable insights for timely decision-making in development projects
From Controller to Systems Analyst The Evolving Skill Set of the Modern Finance Professional
December 1, 2024
Explore how the role of a finance professional is transforming from traditional controller to systems analyst. Discover the new core competencies required to effectively oversee technology-driven financial processes.
The Crucial Role of Independent Verification in Development Aid
November 15, 2024
Discover why independent verification and Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) are essential for ensuring accountability, improving programs, and mitigating risks in global development aid.
Hard Stops vs Soft Warnings Is Your System Enforcing Rules or Just Making Suggestions
November 15, 2024
Understand the critical difference between hard stops (preventive controls) and soft warnings (detective controls) in financial systems. Learn how to verify if your system truly enforces rules or merely suggests compliance, and the implications for risk.
From Data to Decision - Actionable Monitoring Insights
October 12, 2024
Learn how to transform monitoring efforts into actionable insights by focusing on brevity relevance and visualization ensuring data drives effective project management decisions
From Findings to Functionality Co-Creating an Actionable Roadmap for Improvement
October 5, 2024
Learn how to translate audit findings into actionable improvements through collaborative roadmap creation. Discover a framework for validating, prioritizing, and assigning ownership to corrective actions for sustainable change.
Auditing the Manual on the Shelf Closing the Gap Between De Jure Policy and De Facto Practice
October 1, 2024
Discover the critical gap between written policy (de jure) and actual practice (de facto) in financial audits. Learn empirical methods like direct observation and data reconciliation to assess real operational processes.
Where Does "Technology" End and "Process" Begin?
September 1, 2024
Explore how the traditional distinction between process and technology is obsolete. Learn why modern governance demands recognizing that technology IS the process for effective financial oversight.
The Art of Access in Restricted Environments
August 1, 2024
Learn the art of securing and maintaining access for fieldwork in fragile and conflict-affected states, focusing on local negotiation, trust-building, and impartiality.
The Third-Party Monitor is a Myth Why Acknowledging Our Role as a Second-Party Agent Leads to Better Outcomes
June 28, 2024
Uncover why "Third-Party Monitoring" is a misnomer. Learn how framing monitors as "second-party agents" acting on behalf of a principal leads to clearer mandates, improved stakeholder management, and sharper accountability in development and humanitarian sectors.
Monitoring vs. Auditing in Development
June 25, 2024
Differentiate between monitoring and auditing in development projects understanding their distinct purposes methodologies and outputs for effective oversight and accountability
Scenario Planning What Happens When Your Black Box Fails on Payroll Day
June 20, 2024
Learn how to conduct effective scenario planning and business continuity exercises for critical financial systems. Prepare your organization for "black box" failures, especially on high-stakes days like payroll.
Assumptions-as-a-Service The Dangers of Off-the-Shelf Financial Software
June 15, 2024
Discover how off-the-shelf financial software comes with inherent assumptions that can pose risks to development organizations. Learn how to align vendor logic with your specific operational and fiduciary needs.
Real-Time Decisions in Volatile Settings
June 10, 2024
Learn how adaptive management and real-time data systems empower project managers to make informed, timely decisions in volatile environments, improving project outcomes.
Managing the TPM-Implementer Relationship
May 20, 2024
Learn essential best practices for managing the relationship between Third-Party Monitors (TPM) and Implementing Partners (IP) to foster trust, collaboration, and project success.
The Three Pillars of Successful Project Monitoring
April 22, 2024
Discover the three pillars of collaborative project monitoring, fostering transparency and adaptive management among donors, implementers, and monitors for better outcomes.
How to Effectively Communicate Findings for Maximum Impact
April 10, 2024
Learn how to tailor communication of monitoring findings to different stakeholders generate actionable recommendations and use trackers to ensure maximum impact and drive programmatic change
Logic Mapping How to Visually Reconstruct Your Tech-Driven Process
April 5, 2024
Learn how logic mapping can help visually reconstruct and understand complex tech-driven financial processes. This guide offers practical steps to diagram system workflows for enhanced oversight and risk identification.
The Power of Why Five Levels of Inquiry for Your Tech Vendor
March 10, 2024
Apply the 5 Whys technique to technology vendor discussions to uncover root causes of system behavior and ensure comprehensive understanding of financial controls and risks
A Non-Coder's Guide to Interrogating a Financial System
February 14, 2024
Learn how non-technical professionals can effectively interrogate and assess financial software systems without coding knowledge, ensuring robust oversight and mitigating risk.
The Dual-Use Framework A Practical Guide to Verifying Aid That Delivers for Today and Builds for Tomorrow
February 5, 2024
Learn about the "Dual-Use" Verification Framework for humanitarian aid, designed to measure both immediate effectiveness and contribution to local capacity. Move beyond anecdote to evidence for transparent, nexus-aligned programming.
From Complaint to Course Correction Turning Grievance Data into Actionable Intelligence
December 21, 2023
Learn how to transform Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) data from reactive complaint resolution into a proactive source of actionable intelligence for adaptive management and continuous program improvement.
Structuring a Robust Third-Party Monitoring System for Development Programs
September 20, 2023
Learn the four essential pillars for structuring an effective Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) system, ensuring data integrity and actionable insights for development and stabilization programs.
Calibrating the Human Instrument A Systems Approach to Enumerator Quality and Fraud Mitigation
September 14, 2023
Learn how to professionalize field data collection by treating enumerators as human instruments. Discover a systems approach to quality control, including rigorous onboarding and multi-layered, technology-driven quality assurance for fraud mitigation.
How to Hire a Code Whisperer for Financial Audits
September 1, 2023
Learn the essential competencies for hiring a technical audit specialist who can effectively interrogate financial software systems. Discover key skills beyond coding for robust financial assurance.
The Institutional Memory Gap Using Longitudinal Data to Justify Long-Term Investment
February 10, 2023
Explore how the institutional memory gap in donor agencies hinders long-term investment. Learn how longitudinal data from independent monitoring can bridge this gap, providing a robust evidence base for strategic, sustainable aid.
The Excel Macro That Ran a Multi-Million Dollar Program
January 10, 2023
Discover the hidden risks of relying on complex Excel spreadsheets and macros for critical financial processes. Learn why these "shadow IT" tools require proper governance and independent verification.
The Monitors Dilemma Navigating the Ethics of Being Both Partner and Verifier
August 4, 2022
Explore the ethical dilemma faced by independent monitors balancing roles as collaborative partners and rigorous verifiers. Learn a framework for decision-making based on materiality, intent, and systemic issues, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Beyond Fault-Finding Using Verification as a Constructive Diagnostic Tool
September 21, 2021
Reframe verification from fault-finding to a constructive diagnostic process. Learn how to identify systemic conditions and root causes of issues in development programs, fostering a collaborative learning loop for improvement.
Every Crisis an Opportunity Designing Humanitarian Aid That Builds Not Bypasses
September 21, 2021
Learn how to design humanitarian aid that simultaneously builds local capacity rather than bypassing it. Explore a "systems-aware" framework for responsible response in protracted crises, fostering long-term institutional strengthening.
What Your Financial Audit Isn't Telling You Identifying the Hidden Operational Liabilities
April 3, 2021
Discover why a clean financial audit might mask significant operational liabilities. Learn to identify systemic weaknesses that threaten long-term program success, requiring a shift from retrospective compliance to strategic assurance.
Framework for Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) Management
December 9, 2020
Explore a structured four stage framework for dynamic ESS risk management integrating stakeholder engagement to proactively identify assess mitigate and monitor environmental and social impacts in projects
Pragmatic Data Systems for Real Time Decision Support
January 4, 2020
Learn how to design a pragmatic data pipeline that shortens the cycle from collection to analysis providing timely reliable information for real time decision making in project management
Organizing bottom-up digital automation
April 11, 2019
Maximize impact & sustainability of bottom-up digital automation. Learn to prioritize, foster collective solutions, & gain coding fluency for better results. Discover more!
3 practical concepts for bottom-up digital automation in government and business
April 11, 2019
Unlock 3 practical concepts for bottom-up digital automation in government & business. Drive efficiency, empower teams, & avoid chaos. Read more to discover!
3 critical skills for the change management team
December 11, 2017
Discover the 3 essential skill sets—experts, agile managers, & orchestrators—needed to build a high-impact government change management team. Find talent and drive reform! Learn more.
3 key concepts | Capacity, Capability and Performance
August 21, 2017
Understand the distinct meanings of capacity, capability, and performance in organizational strengthening. Learn how context impacts results & drives effective interventions. Discover more!
How to mitigate risk in the worlds most volatile places?
August 18, 2017
Explore 4 risk mitigation strategies: changing actions, additional measures, risk transfer, & higher tolerance. Learn to apply them in volatile places & assess organizational capability. Read more!
4 common pitfalls when identifying risks
August 18, 2017
Uncover 4 critical mistakes businesses make when identifying risks, especially in frontier markets. Learn to improve your risk management framework & avoid surprises. Read more!
5 stage framework for change management in fragile states
August 15, 2017
Implement successful reforms in fragile states with our 5-stage '5Ds' framework: Direction, Diagnose, Design, Deliver, Do. Achieve sustainable change. Learn more!
How to implement demobilization of armed security forces
August 15, 2017
Learn how to effectively demobilize armed security forces in post-conflict regions. Explore key steps in eligibility, financing, & implementation for sustainable peace. Read more!
Kick-start infrastructure investments in a fragile state
October 27, 2015
Learn how to launch successful infrastructure programs in fragile states from scratch. Discover key lessons on design, uncertainty, bilateral aid, & emergency funding. Read more!
monitoring
Adaptability in Project Monitoring
June 28, 2025
Learn why adaptability is crucial for project monitoring in uncertain environments, shifting from static plans to dynamic, principle-based approaches that thrive amidst global shocks.
Designing for Reality How to Structure a Monitoring Engagement in a Politically Complex World
June 27, 2025
Learn how to structure monitoring engagements in politically complex environments to ensure rigor and maintain productive relationships. Discover essential pillars for transparent terms of reference, data access, and communication protocols.
The Triple Nexus in Practice A Framework for Verification in Humanitarian Development and Peacebuilding Contexts
June 26, 2025
Explore a verification framework for the Triple Nexus (Humanitarian-Development-Peace), moving beyond siloed monitoring. Learn how to assess interdependencies and strategic coherence across interventions in complex environments.
The Silent Failures How Tech Can Go Wrong Without Anyone Noticing
June 21, 2025
Explore the hidden dangers of silent systemic failures in financial technology, where errors occur without alarms. Learn about archetypes of silent failure and the need for proactive, independent verification.
The Rise of Citizen-Led Monitoring
June 1, 2025
Explore how Citizen-Led Monitoring (CLM) transforms development projects by engaging communities directly, improving data quality, and strengthening social accountability.
Monitoring in Conflict Zones
June 1, 2025
Explore the unique challenges of monitoring development programs in conflict zones and discover a pragmatic framework integrating security, political analysis, and multi-source data for effective oversight.
De-risking Development with Integrated Monitoring
May 15, 2025
Learn how integrated financial and physical monitoring protects development investments in high-risk environments, preventing fraud and ensuring effective project delivery.
Adaptive Monitoring in Access-Constrained Environments
March 11, 2025
Discover a framework for adaptive monitoring in volatile environments using a Traffic Light system to modify methodologies based on access levels ensuring resilient verification and insights
The Monitor's Role - Verification and Learning
December 1, 2024
Discover how shifting the monitor's mindset from judgment to learning transforms monitoring into a powerful tool for objective verification and collaborative project improvement.
The Crucial Role of Independent Verification in Development Aid
November 15, 2024
Discover why independent verification and Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) are essential for ensuring accountability, improving programs, and mitigating risks in global development aid.
The Power of an Integrated Digital Platform for Monitoring Data
October 20, 2024
Discover how an integrated digital platform unifies diverse project data, enabling real-time insights, enhanced transparency, and data-driven decisions for complex development projects.
From Data to Decision - Actionable Monitoring Insights
October 12, 2024
Learn how to transform monitoring efforts into actionable insights by focusing on brevity relevance and visualization ensuring data drives effective project management decisions
From Findings to Functionality Co-Creating an Actionable Roadmap for Improvement
October 5, 2024
Learn how to translate audit findings into actionable improvements through collaborative roadmap creation. Discover a framework for validating, prioritizing, and assigning ownership to corrective actions for sustainable change.
Seeing is Believing Forging an Unbreakable Link Between Financial Data and Geospatial Reality
August 30, 2024
Learn how data triangulation creates a robust link between financial records and physical assets in development aid. Discover how combining financial, geospatial, and multimedia data provides verifiable proof of impact, especially in challenging environments.
The Third-Party Monitor is a Myth Why Acknowledging Our Role as a Second-Party Agent Leads to Better Outcomes
June 28, 2024
Uncover why "Third-Party Monitoring" is a misnomer. Learn how framing monitors as "second-party agents" acting on behalf of a principal leads to clearer mandates, improved stakeholder management, and sharper accountability in development and humanitarian sectors.
Cross-Sectoral Expertise in Monitoring
June 25, 2024
Explore how cross-sectoral expertise in monitoring reveals deeper insights by connecting financial data with physical outputs ensuring a holistic understanding of development challenges and outcomes
Monitoring vs. Auditing in Development
June 25, 2024
Differentiate between monitoring and auditing in development projects understanding their distinct purposes methodologies and outputs for effective oversight and accountability
Satellite Imagery for Project Oversight
May 28, 2024
Discover how satellite imagery and remote sensing provide objective, persistent project oversight in challenging environments, enhancing transparency and accountability.
Managing the TPM-Implementer Relationship
May 20, 2024
Learn essential best practices for managing the relationship between Third-Party Monitors (TPM) and Implementing Partners (IP) to foster trust, collaboration, and project success.
The Three Pillars of Successful Project Monitoring
April 22, 2024
Discover the three pillars of collaborative project monitoring, fostering transparency and adaptive management among donors, implementers, and monitors for better outcomes.
How to Effectively Communicate Findings for Maximum Impact
April 10, 2024
Learn how to tailor communication of monitoring findings to different stakeholders generate actionable recommendations and use trackers to ensure maximum impact and drive programmatic change
The Dual-Use Framework A Practical Guide to Verifying Aid That Delivers for Today and Builds for Tomorrow
February 5, 2024
Learn about the "Dual-Use" Verification Framework for humanitarian aid, designed to measure both immediate effectiveness and contribution to local capacity. Move beyond anecdote to evidence for transparent, nexus-aligned programming.
A Framework for Education Sector Monitoring
December 30, 2023
Explore a multi dimensional framework for education sector monitoring that verifies resources assesses teaching quality measures learning outcomes and gauges community engagement for true impact
From Complaint to Course Correction Turning Grievance Data into Actionable Intelligence
December 21, 2023
Learn how to transform Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) data from reactive complaint resolution into a proactive source of actionable intelligence for adaptive management and continuous program improvement.
Integrating Capacity Building into Verification Mandates
October 25, 2023
Explore a partnership model for Third-Party Monitoring that integrates capacity building into verification mandates fostering sustainable M and E systems and reducing dependency
Structuring a Robust Third-Party Monitoring System for Development Programs
September 20, 2023
Learn the four essential pillars for structuring an effective Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) system, ensuring data integrity and actionable insights for development and stabilization programs.
Trusted Monitoring in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations
June 14, 2023
Explore a framework for trusted monitoring in FCAS emphasizing mandated independence systematic triangulation and proportionality of effort to ensure credible verifiable data in complex environments
The Role of Local Networks in Remote Monitoring
April 1, 2023
Discover how cultivating trusted local networks provides essential human intelligence for remote monitoring in fragile and conflict-affected situations overcoming access barriers and enhancing data reliability
The Canary in the Coal Mine Why a Functional GRM is Your First Line of Defense Against Safeguarding Failures
October 16, 2022
Discover why a functional Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is the critical early warning system for safeguarding failures, including SEAH, in development programs. Learn about core attributes for a survivor-centric and effective GRM.
The Monitors Dilemma Navigating the Ethics of Being Both Partner and Verifier
August 4, 2022
Explore the ethical dilemma faced by independent monitors balancing roles as collaborative partners and rigorous verifiers. Learn a framework for decision-making based on materiality, intent, and systemic issues, ensuring transparency and accountability.
Show Me Don't Tell Me Why Declarative Statements Are the Enemy of Effective Monitoring
May 27, 2022
Learn why accepting declarative statements in audits is insufficient. Discover how "Show me, don't tell me" fosters effective monitoring by demanding objective, system-generated evidence in a digital environment.
The Power of Combining Quantitative and Qualitative Data
May 16, 2022
Learn why integrating quantitative and qualitative data is crucial for understanding project outcomes explaining why things happen and driving actionable insights in development programs
Using Geospatial and Multimedia Tools for Enhanced Verification
April 9, 2022
Learn how to integrate geospatial and multimedia tools into monitoring workflows to corroborate reported findings mitigate bias and achieve a higher standard of proof for project verification
Beyond the Logframe Designing Monitoring Frameworks for a Complex Interconnected World
March 18, 2022
Explore why the linear logframe is insufficient for monitoring complex development projects in interconnected environments. Learn to design systems-based M&E frameworks that monitor critical dependencies and cross-sectoral interfaces for true impact.
Monitoring Targeting and Delivery in Social Protection Programs
January 19, 2022
Explore a structured framework for monitoring social protection programs verifying accurate beneficiary targeting and reliable benefit delivery to ensure safety net integrity and effectiveness
The White Elephant Risk Why Post-Completion Verification is Non-Negotiable
November 30, 2021
Understand the "white elephant" risk in infrastructure projects—assets built but not utilized. Learn why post-completion verification is crucial to ensure long-term sustainability and avoid financing non-viable projects.
Validating Emergency Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA)
September 27, 2021
Explore a rapid validation methodology for emergency CVA balancing speed with fiduciary and protection risks through concurrent multi modal data collection focusing on red flag indicators for real time risk management
Beyond Fault-Finding Using Verification as a Constructive Diagnostic Tool
September 21, 2021
Reframe verification from fault-finding to a constructive diagnostic process. Learn how to identify systemic conditions and root causes of issues in development programs, fostering a collaborative learning loop for improvement.
Building Capacity, Not Dependency, in Third-Party Monitoring
August 5, 2021
Discover a sustainable approach to Third-Party Monitoring TPM that systematically integrates verification with capacity building fostering partner self-reliance and long-term M&E strength
Abyrint's Vision From Monitoring Actions to Verifying Logic
July 15, 2021
Discover Abyrint's vision for evolving monitoring from observing actions to verifying system logic. Learn about the four core pillars of their approach to ensure robust financial assurance in digitized aid delivery.
Participatory Monitoring and Citizen Feedback
March 22, 2021
Discover a framework for participatory monitoring and citizen feedback that empowers communities to report on project performance enhancing transparency and fostering responsive accountable implementation
Verification with Purpose
March 17, 2020
Discover how to integrate accountability and adaptive learning in project verification systems transforming oversight from a compliance burden into a strategic asset for better outcomes
Triangulation and Trust - The Methodological Core of Technical Excellence in Data Verification
November 19, 2019
Explore how systematic triangulation cross referencing multiple independent data streams builds trust and defensible assessments overcoming the limitations of single data sources in complex environments
How a Financial Verification Became the Catalyst for System-Wide Reform
July 29, 2019
Discover a case study where routine financial verification evolved into system-wide reform for a national health program. Learn how data-driven diagnostics and collaborative root cause analysis led to sustainable process improvements.
A Systems Approach to Health Monitoring
July 8, 2019
Explore a multi layer framework for systemic health monitoring in fragile states verifying supply chain integrity clinical service quality HMIS data and community perceptions to ensure robust health outcomes
Linking Financial Data to Physical Verification
April 30, 2019
Discover how to systematically link financial data with on-the-ground physical verification closing blind spots and ensuring every expenditure is traced to a tangible verified result for true assurance
How to do financial monitoring of development aid
June 20, 2015
Explore 3 archetypal models for financial monitoring of foreign aid: Control, Coordination, & Change. Reduce risk, improve programs, & build capacity in developing countries. Learn more!
organization
Designing for Reality How to Structure a Monitoring Engagement in a Politically Complex World
June 27, 2025
Learn how to structure monitoring engagements in politically complex environments to ensure rigor and maintain productive relationships. Discover essential pillars for transparent terms of reference, data access, and communication protocols.
The Third-Party Monitor is a Myth Why Acknowledging Our Role as a Second-Party Agent Leads to Better Outcomes
June 28, 2024
Uncover why "Third-Party Monitoring" is a misnomer. Learn how framing monitors as "second-party agents" acting on behalf of a principal leads to clearer mandates, improved stakeholder management, and sharper accountability in development and humanitarian sectors.
Why Capable People and Good Intentions Fail in Fragile States
October 11, 2023
Explore why capable individuals in fragile and conflict-affected states struggle to translate good intentions into positive outcomes due to systemic issues and misaligned incentives
Corporate Social Responsibility and Local Impact
January 25, 2021
Learn about Abyrints integrated CSR approach prioritizing local sourcing ethical supply chains and investing in local professional ecosystems to create positive sustainable impact
partnerships
Empowering Implementing Partners Through Capacity Building
September 1, 2024
Redefine the Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) function as a vehicle for capacity building, strengthening local implementing partners and fostering sustainable development success.
Managing the TPM-Implementer Relationship
May 20, 2024
Learn essential best practices for managing the relationship between Third-Party Monitors (TPM) and Implementing Partners (IP) to foster trust, collaboration, and project success.
The Three Pillars of Successful Project Monitoring
April 22, 2024
Discover the three pillars of collaborative project monitoring, fostering transparency and adaptive management among donors, implementers, and monitors for better outcomes.
Integrating Capacity Building into Verification Mandates
October 25, 2023
Explore a partnership model for Third-Party Monitoring that integrates capacity building into verification mandates fostering sustainable M and E systems and reducing dependency
Building Capacity, Not Dependency, in Third-Party Monitoring
August 5, 2021
Discover a sustainable approach to Third-Party Monitoring TPM that systematically integrates verification with capacity building fostering partner self-reliance and long-term M&E strength
payroll
Looks Right Isn't a Control Does Your Payroll System Sanity-Check Itself
January 10, 2025
Discover why relying on subjective "looks right" assessments for payroll is a weak control. Learn how automated sanity checks can transform your payroll system into a resilient, active participant in financial oversight.
3 steps to payroll reform in post-conflict states
March 18, 2016
Implement successful payroll reform in post-conflict states with our 3-step guide: scoping, issue identification, & solution design. Enhance stability & public finance. Learn more!
Case: Building the national payroll system in Somalia
June 29, 2015
Discover how Somalia rapidly built a national payroll system from scratch, transforming public financial management in a fragile state. Learn from this success story! Read more.
Ghost workers: Who are they and how to deal with them
June 17, 2015
Uncover the truth about 'ghost workers' in government and business payrolls. Learn to identify types, who profits, and practical control solutions. Read more to combat fraud!
performance
Do conventional capacity building, but do it well
August 21, 2017
Explore how conventional capacity building methods can drive performance in fragile states. Learn to balance capability investments with direct performance enhancements. Read more!
3 key concepts | Capacity, Capability and Performance
August 21, 2017
Understand the distinct meanings of capacity, capability, and performance in organizational strengthening. Learn how context impacts results & drives effective interventions. Discover more!
pfm
The Pragmatists Case for the Monolith Reassessing Architectural Risk in Low-Capacity States
June 10, 2025
Explore the pragmatic argument for monolithic financial systems in low-capacity states. This article re-evaluates architectural risks, arguing that basic fiscal control and centralized accountability may outweigh the pursuit of modular agility in certain contexts.
The Blueprint and the Building Re-imagining Public Finance in the Digital Age
November 20, 2024
Explore how public financial management must recognize that digital system architecture and code are the true embodiment of financial rules, moving beyond outdated paper-based models for agile and transparent governance.
The Myth of the Monolith The World is Already Modular
August 5, 2024
Debunk the myth of monolithic financial systems in public finance modernization Discover how OECD data reveals a global shift towards modular interconnected digital ecosystems aligning with modern GovTech principles
Financial management for security sector
January 20, 2018
Explore core government financial management systems for the security sector. Learn how to overcome challenges in fragile states and build sustainable solutions. Read more!
3 steps to payroll reform in post-conflict states
March 18, 2016
Implement successful payroll reform in post-conflict states with our 3-step guide: scoping, issue identification, & solution design. Enhance stability & public finance. Learn more!
Case: Building the national payroll system in Somalia
June 29, 2015
Discover how Somalia rapidly built a national payroll system from scratch, transforming public financial management in a fragile state. Learn from this success story! Read more.
How to analyze the public finance value chain?
June 21, 2015
Deconstruct complex public financial management systems using a value chain approach. Learn to define primary and supporting activities for effective PFM reform. Read more!
privacy
Data Security by Design - End-to-End Encryption and Access Controls
May 5, 2024
Explore a "Security by Design" framework, detailing end-to-end encryption and strict access controls to protect sensitive project data from collection to destruction, ensuring ethical handling and compliance.
Data Governance and Compliance in Challenging Environments
January 30, 2024
Explore a practical framework for data governance and compliance in fragile and conflict-affected states translating global standards like GDPR into robust contextually appropriate field protocols
Upholding Data Protection and Privacy
July 3, 2020
Learn about our end-to-end data governance framework from collection to destruction ensuring the highest standards of data protection and privacy aligned with GDPR
Remote Data Collection - Utility of IVR, WhatsApp, and Chatbot Tools
June 20, 2020
Assess the utility of IVR WhatsApp and chatbot tools for remote data collection in access-constrained environments navigating digital literacy privacy and survey design for meaningful ethical insights
procurement
reform
The Bricked-Up Door Why Public Finance Discourse Fails to See That Code is Law
November 20, 2024
Explore why public finance management (PFM) often struggles to acknowledge that code is the true law in digital systems. Understand the cultural chasm between legal frameworks and technological reality in government institutions.
Monoliths vs Modular Systems A Strategic Framework for Public Finance Architecture
June 25, 2024
Explore the strategic choice between monolithic and modular architectures for public financial management (PFM) systems. Learn why a federated, API-driven approach offers greater agility, resilience, and better governance for modern states.
Every Crisis an Opportunity Designing Humanitarian Aid That Builds Not Bypasses
September 21, 2021
Learn how to design humanitarian aid that simultaneously builds local capacity rather than bypassing it. Explore a "systems-aware" framework for responsible response in protracted crises, fostering long-term institutional strengthening.
How a Financial Verification Became the Catalyst for System-Wide Reform
July 29, 2019
Discover a case study where routine financial verification evolved into system-wide reform for a national health program. Learn how data-driven diagnostics and collaborative root cause analysis led to sustainable process improvements.
Financial management for security sector
January 20, 2018
Explore core government financial management systems for the security sector. Learn how to overcome challenges in fragile states and build sustainable solutions. Read more!
4 approaches to redesign of core government functions
December 11, 2017
Explore 4 approaches to rebuilding government systems in fragile states: temporary fixes, experiments, building blocks, & load-bearing elements. Maximize reform impact! Learn more.
Rebuilding the State | block-by-block
December 11, 2017
Avoid 'bits and pieces' pitfalls when rebuilding fragile states. Learn how to design integrated, fit-for-purpose building blocks for sustainable government systems. Discover more!
Design reforms to deliver value quickly
December 11, 2017
Discover how to design minimum viable solutions for government reforms in fragile states to deliver quick, impactful value. Avoid common pitfalls & sustain momentum. Learn more!
How to select reform initiatives when rebuilding a failed state?
December 11, 2017
Prioritize reform initiatives when rebuilding a failed state. Discover 4 crucial criteria: value at stake, failure points, fittable solutions, & strong leadership. Learn more!
5 stage framework for change management in fragile states
August 15, 2017
Implement successful reforms in fragile states with our 5-stage '5Ds' framework: Direction, Diagnose, Design, Deliver, Do. Achieve sustainable change. Learn more!
How to implement demobilization of armed security forces
August 15, 2017
Learn how to effectively demobilize armed security forces in post-conflict regions. Explore key steps in eligibility, financing, & implementation for sustainable peace. Read more!
3 models of Supreme Audit Institutions
March 18, 2016
Explore the 3 archetypal models of Supreme Audit Institutions (SAIs): Judicial, Parliamentarian, & Collegiate. Understand their legal and organizational differences for effective reform. Learn more!
3 steps to payroll reform in post-conflict states
March 18, 2016
Implement successful payroll reform in post-conflict states with our 3-step guide: scoping, issue identification, & solution design. Enhance stability & public finance. Learn more!
How to do data-analytics on a shoestring
July 8, 2015
Learn to build robust data analytics from sparse sources in fragile and developing states. Overcome 'data-poverty' to drive effective institutional reform. Discover how!
Smarter procurement policy in developing countries
June 21, 2015
Discover how data analytics can transform procurement policy in developing countries. Learn to optimize thresholds, procedures, & risk strategies for efficiency & transparency. Read more!
5 ways to better problem solving in the world’s most difficult places
June 18, 2015
Navigate complex challenges in post-conflict regions. Discover 5 crucial factors for effective problem-solving in the world's toughest places. Unlock strategies for impact!
risk
Investment-Grade Due Diligence for Development Aid Applying Investor Rigor to Major Programs
June 29, 2025
Learn how applying investment-grade due diligence to development aid programs goes beyond basic compliance. Discover a holistic, forward-looking assessment of operational models, technology, governance, and resilience for strategic assurance.
The Workaround IS the Workflow Finding Risk in Post-it Notes and Unofficial Spreadsheets
June 28, 2025
Discover how informal workarounds and "Shadow IT" like Post-it notes and unofficial spreadsheets reveal critical risks and expose the true, de facto workflows in organizations.
The Silent Failures How Tech Can Go Wrong Without Anyone Noticing
June 21, 2025
Explore the hidden dangers of silent systemic failures in financial technology, where errors occur without alarms. Learn about archetypes of silent failure and the need for proactive, independent verification.
Auditing the Override Who Holds the Keys to Bypass Your Controls
June 18, 2025
Explore the critical risk of privileged user accounts in financial systems and why auditing them is paramount. Learn about the governance framework for managing superuser access to ensure fiduciary oversight.
The Pragmatists Case for the Monolith Reassessing Architectural Risk in Low-Capacity States
June 10, 2025
Explore the pragmatic argument for monolithic financial systems in low-capacity states. This article re-evaluates architectural risks, arguing that basic fiscal control and centralized accountability may outweigh the pursuit of modular agility in certain contexts.
Security and Business Continuity for Field Teams
June 5, 2025
Learn how integrating Security Risk Management (SRM) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is crucial for protecting field teams and ensuring mission resilience in challenging environments.
Monitoring in Conflict Zones
June 1, 2025
Explore the unique challenges of monitoring development programs in conflict zones and discover a pragmatic framework integrating security, political analysis, and multi-source data for effective oversight.
Operating with Uncertainty - Contingency Planning and Security Risk Mitigation
June 1, 2025
Learn how to integrate contingency planning and security risk mitigation into operational design for fragile environments enabling adaptive safe and predictable program operations through dynamic modalities
De-risking Development with Integrated Monitoring
May 15, 2025
Learn how integrated financial and physical monitoring protects development investments in high-risk environments, preventing fraud and ensuring effective project delivery.
Is Your Process Improvement Just Deeper Obfuscation?
May 10, 2025
Digitizing flawed processes without critical analysis can lead to deeper obfuscation and new risks. Discover why process rationalization must precede technology to achieve true digital transformation.
Duty of Care is Non-Negotiable Our Security Framework for Field Operations in High-Risk Environments
May 3, 2025
Learn about the non-negotiable duty of care in field operations within high-risk environments. Discover a systematic, proactive, and multi-layered security framework for protecting personnel and ensuring data integrity.
It's a Known Bug Why This is the Scariest Phrase in Financial Tech
April 10, 2025
Discover why the phrase "known bug" is a critical governance signal in financial tech. Learn how to formally manage, assess, and mitigate risks from unaddressed software flaws for robust fiduciary oversight.
Who Owns the Algorithm Establishing Governance for Your Financial Tech
February 1, 2025
Explore the accountability vacuum created by automated financial processes and learn how to establish clear governance frameworks, including RACI matrix application, for algorithmic ownership.
The Tyranny of the Tiny Sample How We Mistake Guesswork for Assurance
November 20, 2024
Discover why relying on small, traditional audit samples is an outdated and risky practice in the digital age. Learn how modern data analytics enables full-population analysis for comprehensive and statistically valid assurance.
Hard Stops vs Soft Warnings Is Your System Enforcing Rules or Just Making Suggestions
November 15, 2024
Understand the critical difference between hard stops (preventive controls) and soft warnings (detective controls) in financial systems. Learn how to verify if your system truly enforces rules or merely suggests compliance, and the implications for risk.
Mitigating Fraud Risks in Data Collection
July 1, 2024
Learn a multi-layered framework to prevent, detect, and confirm data integrity risks, from enumerator fraud to community collusion, ensuring credible project outcomes.
The Empty Promise of Integration When Your Modules Dont Actually Talk to Each Other
June 25, 2024
Uncover the hidden risks of assumed system integration in ERP and financial management. Learn why perceived real-time data flow can mask critical control gaps due to batch processing, and how to test for it.
Scenario Planning What Happens When Your Black Box Fails on Payroll Day
June 20, 2024
Learn how to conduct effective scenario planning and business continuity exercises for critical financial systems. Prepare your organization for "black box" failures, especially on high-stakes days like payroll.
Assumptions-as-a-Service The Dangers of Off-the-Shelf Financial Software
June 15, 2024
Discover how off-the-shelf financial software comes with inherent assumptions that can pose risks to development organizations. Learn how to align vendor logic with your specific operational and fiduciary needs.
The In-House Build vs. The Commercial Platform A Risk Comparison
June 1, 2024
Compare the risk profiles of building in-house financial systems versus buying commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms. Understand the implications for strategic decisions and assurance frameworks.
Open Source vs Proprietary Software in Aid A Transparency Trade-off
June 1, 2024
Explore the debate between open source and proprietary software in the aid sector, analyzing the transparency trade-offs, economic realities, and diverse risk profiles for financial management systems.
AI in Aid The Next Generation of Financial Black Boxes is Already Here
May 20, 2024
Explore how AI and Machine Learning are creating new, more complex "black boxes" in financial systems for aid. Understand the governance challenges and the need for explainable AI and human accountability.
When Compliance is Just a Checkbox The Risk of Paper-Thin Tech Audits
May 15, 2024
Discover the dangers of superficial technology audits that only check boxes, leading to an illusion of security. Learn why substantive engagement with financial systems is crucial for real compliance and risk mitigation.
Fragile Systems, Fragile States Why Your Program Needs a Resilience Audit
April 10, 2024
Discover why retrospective financial audits are insufficient for programs in fragile states. Learn about the Resilience Audit, a forward-looking stress-testing framework designed to ensure operational continuity amidst exogenous shocks.
Why UI and User Guides Aren't the Truth
March 22, 2024
Discover why relying solely on user interfaces and manuals for financial software can lead to significant risks. Learn about the importance of technical verification of source code for true system understanding.
The Power of Why Five Levels of Inquiry for Your Tech Vendor
March 10, 2024
Apply the 5 Whys technique to technology vendor discussions to uncover root causes of system behavior and ensure comprehensive understanding of financial controls and risks
Rigorous Financial Monitoring in Development Projects
February 28, 2024
Explore a three-pillar framework for rigorous financial monitoring in development projects encompassing internal controls expenditure verification and physical verification to ensure fiduciary trust
The Koala in the KYC The Difference Between a Presence Check and a Real Control
November 2, 2023
Discover how the "Koala in the KYC" incident illustrates the dangers of superficial "presence checks" versus substantive controls in financial systems. Learn why robust verification of supporting documentation is crucial.
Trusted Monitoring in Fragile and Conflict-Affected Situations
June 14, 2023
Explore a framework for trusted monitoring in FCAS emphasizing mandated independence systematic triangulation and proportionality of effort to ensure credible verifiable data in complex environments
Systemic Risk Mitigation for Preventing GBV
February 18, 2023
Explore a four-step survivor-centered framework for mitigating Gender-Based Violence GBV risk in development projects focusing on systemic prevention ethical verification and continuous adaptation
The Excel Macro That Ran a Multi-Million Dollar Program
January 10, 2023
Discover the hidden risks of relying on complex Excel spreadsheets and macros for critical financial processes. Learn why these "shadow IT" tools require proper governance and independent verification.
Your Systems Exception Log The Autobiography of Your De Facto Process
December 24, 2022
Discover how your system's error and exception log is a powerful, underutilized source of intelligence about actual operational workflows. Learn to analyze these logs to reveal the true "autobiography" of your processes and identify hidden risks.
The Canary in the Coal Mine Why a Functional GRM is Your First Line of Defense Against Safeguarding Failures
October 16, 2022
Discover why a functional Grievance Redress Mechanism (GRM) is the critical early warning system for safeguarding failures, including SEAH, in development programs. Learn about core attributes for a survivor-centric and effective GRM.
Verifying Fiduciary Compliance
September 28, 2022
Explore a layered approach to fiduciary verification assessing internal controls tracing expenditures and verifying physical outputs to provide continuous assurance and support real-time risk management
Blockchain and Aid Ultimate Transparency or Just a More Complicated Black Box
November 4, 2021
Explore the promises and challenges of blockchain in international aid, questioning if it offers true transparency or a more complex "black box." Discuss the "oracle problem" and governance of smart contracts.
Validating Emergency Cash and Voucher Assistance (CVA)
September 27, 2021
Explore a rapid validation methodology for emergency CVA balancing speed with fiduciary and protection risks through concurrent multi modal data collection focusing on red flag indicators for real time risk management
What Your Financial Audit Isn't Telling You Identifying the Hidden Operational Liabilities
April 3, 2021
Discover why a clean financial audit might mask significant operational liabilities. Learn to identify systemic weaknesses that threaten long-term program success, requiring a shift from retrospective compliance to strategic assurance.
Framework for Environmental and Social Safeguard (ESS) Management
December 9, 2020
Explore a structured four stage framework for dynamic ESS risk management integrating stakeholder engagement to proactively identify assess mitigate and monitor environmental and social impacts in projects
Engineering Oversight in Infrastructure Projects
August 14, 2020
Explore a framework for engineering led oversight in infrastructure projects integrating technical expertise into monitoring for rigorous quality assurance and compliance with design specifications
Manage investments under extreme uncertainty
August 18, 2017
Master investment decisions in high-risk environments. Explore strategies balancing uncertainty and commitment, leveraging knowledge, and portfolio approaches. Unlock smarter investments now!
How to mitigate risk in the worlds most volatile places?
August 18, 2017
Explore 4 risk mitigation strategies: changing actions, additional measures, risk transfer, & higher tolerance. Learn to apply them in volatile places & assess organizational capability. Read more!
4 common pitfalls when identifying risks
August 18, 2017
Uncover 4 critical mistakes businesses make when identifying risks, especially in frontier markets. Learn to improve your risk management framework & avoid surprises. Read more!
How to solve the global de-risking problem for remittances
February 9, 2015
Address the global de-risking problem for remittances. Discover structural solutions & prioritize familiar actions for robust financial sectors in developing countries. Unlock sustainable flows!
security
Auditing the Override Who Holds the Keys to Bypass Your Controls
June 18, 2025
Explore the critical risk of privileged user accounts in financial systems and why auditing them is paramount. Learn about the governance framework for managing superuser access to ensure fiduciary oversight.
Security and Business Continuity for Field Teams
June 5, 2025
Learn how integrating Security Risk Management (SRM) and Business Continuity Planning (BCP) is crucial for protecting field teams and ensuring mission resilience in challenging environments.
Operating with Uncertainty - Contingency Planning and Security Risk Mitigation
June 1, 2025
Learn how to integrate contingency planning and security risk mitigation into operational design for fragile environments enabling adaptive safe and predictable program operations through dynamic modalities
Duty of Care is Non-Negotiable Our Security Framework for Field Operations in High-Risk Environments
May 3, 2025
Learn about the non-negotiable duty of care in field operations within high-risk environments. Discover a systematic, proactive, and multi-layered security framework for protecting personnel and ensuring data integrity.
The Data Custody Chain Who Can See Change and Delete Your Financial Data
December 27, 2024
Understand the critical importance of the data custody chain in financial systems. Learn how to audit user access controls to ensure data integrity and enforce the principle of least privilege.
Auditing the Audit Trail Is Your System's Log Actually Useful?
August 10, 2024
Learn the critical difference between a basic system log and a forensically sound audit trail. Discover the five core attributes needed for a useful audit trail and how to test its integrity for true accountability.
The Art of Access in Restricted Environments
August 1, 2024
Learn the art of securing and maintaining access for fieldwork in fragile and conflict-affected states, focusing on local negotiation, trust-building, and impartiality.
Implementing Robust SEAH Policies in Field Operations
May 25, 2024
Discover our comprehensive multilayered safeguarding framework for preventing reporting and responding to SEAH upholding a zerotolerance policy and ensuring Do No Harm in field operations
Data Security by Design - End-to-End Encryption and Access Controls
May 5, 2024
Explore a "Security by Design" framework, detailing end-to-end encryption and strict access controls to protect sensitive project data from collection to destruction, ensuring ethical handling and compliance.
Data Governance and Compliance in Challenging Environments
January 30, 2024
Explore a practical framework for data governance and compliance in fragile and conflict-affected states translating global standards like GDPR into robust contextually appropriate field protocols
The Koala in the KYC The Difference Between a Presence Check and a Real Control
November 2, 2023
Discover how the "Koala in the KYC" incident illustrates the dangers of superficial "presence checks" versus substantive controls in financial systems. Learn why robust verification of supporting documentation is crucial.
Systemic Risk Mitigation for Preventing GBV
February 18, 2023
Explore a four-step survivor-centered framework for mitigating Gender-Based Violence GBV risk in development projects focusing on systemic prevention ethical verification and continuous adaptation
A Unified Platform - Integrating Data Streams for Secure Monitoring
October 13, 2019
Explore how a unified digital platform solves data fragmentation by securely integrating diverse data streams enabling cross analysis enhancing security and establishing a single source of truth for project oversight
Financial management for security sector
January 20, 2018
Explore core government financial management systems for the security sector. Learn how to overcome challenges in fragile states and build sustainable solutions. Read more!
How to develop strategies for Security Sector Finance?
December 11, 2017
Develop effective security sector finance strategies for fragile states. Address misalignment of objectives, force structure, & funding to build sustainable security. Learn more!
How to implement demobilization of armed security forces
August 15, 2017
Learn how to effectively demobilize armed security forces in post-conflict regions. Explore key steps in eligibility, financing, & implementation for sustainable peace. Read more!
sensitivity
Monitoring for Compliance with Environmental and Social Standards
June 18, 2024
Discover how to effectively monitor compliance with Environmental and Social Standards ESS including sensitive protection issues to ensure ethical and sustainable development outcomes
Implementing Robust SEAH Policies in Field Operations
May 25, 2024
Discover our comprehensive multilayered safeguarding framework for preventing reporting and responding to SEAH upholding a zerotolerance policy and ensuring Do No Harm in field operations
Mobilizing Female Surveyors for Inclusive Data
March 1, 2024
Learn why deploying female surveyors is a methodological imperative for collecting credible, inclusive data on sensitive issues in diverse cultural contexts.
Calibrating the Human Instrument A Systems Approach to Enumerator Quality and Fraud Mitigation
September 14, 2023
Learn how to professionalize field data collection by treating enumerators as human instruments. Discover a systems approach to quality control, including rigorous onboarding and multi-layered, technology-driven quality assurance for fraud mitigation.
The Access Advantage Why a Gender-Balanced Field Force is a Methodological Imperative
April 1, 2023
Discover why a gender-balanced field force is a non-negotiable methodological imperative for accurate data collection in challenging environments. Learn how it overcomes structural barriers to access and mitigates sampling bias.
Systemic Risk Mitigation for Preventing GBV
February 18, 2023
Explore a four-step survivor-centered framework for mitigating Gender-Based Violence GBV risk in development projects focusing on systemic prevention ethical verification and continuous adaptation
Building Capacity, Not Dependency, in Third-Party Monitoring
August 5, 2021
Discover a sustainable approach to Third-Party Monitoring TPM that systematically integrates verification with capacity building fostering partner self-reliance and long-term M&E strength
strategy
How to develop strategies for Security Sector Finance?
December 11, 2017
Develop effective security sector finance strategies for fragile states. Address misalignment of objectives, force structure, & funding to build sustainable security. Learn more!
How to select reform initiatives when rebuilding a failed state?
December 11, 2017
Prioritize reform initiatives when rebuilding a failed state. Discover 4 crucial criteria: value at stake, failure points, fittable solutions, & strong leadership. Learn more!
How to mitigate risk in the worlds most volatile places?
August 18, 2017
Explore 4 risk mitigation strategies: changing actions, additional measures, risk transfer, & higher tolerance. Learn to apply them in volatile places & assess organizational capability. Read more!
systems
Adaptive Monitoring in Access-Constrained Environments
March 11, 2025
Discover a framework for adaptive monitoring in volatile environments using a Traffic Light system to modify methodologies based on access levels ensuring resilient verification and insights
Logic Mapping How to Draw a Blueprint of a Black Box System
March 8, 2025
Learn how logic mapping helps visually reconstruct opaque "black box" financial systems. This forensic approach uses empirical testing to create a blueprint of actual data flows and decision rules, revealing the true operational process.
Towards Verifiable Systems A New Standard for Development Sector Tech
January 20, 2025
Discover the "Verifiable System" standard for development sector tech, moving from reactive audits to proactive design. Learn about key attributes like exposed configuration, forensically sound audit trails, and dedicated monitoring APIs.
Designing Integrated Dashboards for Decision-Makers
January 6, 2025
Learn principles for designing integrated dashboards that synthesize complex financial physical and programmatic data into clear actionable insights for timely decision-making in development projects
Hard Stops vs Soft Warnings Is Your System Enforcing Rules or Just Making Suggestions
November 15, 2024
Understand the critical difference between hard stops (preventive controls) and soft warnings (detective controls) in financial systems. Learn how to verify if your system truly enforces rules or merely suggests compliance, and the implications for risk.
The Power of an Integrated Digital Platform for Monitoring Data
October 20, 2024
Discover how an integrated digital platform unifies diverse project data, enabling real-time insights, enhanced transparency, and data-driven decisions for complex development projects.
Show, Don't Tell Demanding Live Walkthroughs of Your System's Logic
October 20, 2024
Move beyond scripted software demos. Learn how to demand live walkthroughs of system logic under realistic conditions to conduct rigorous fiduciary due diligence and ensure operational integrity.
Where Does "Technology" End and "Process" Begin?
September 1, 2024
Explore how the traditional distinction between process and technology is obsolete. Learn why modern governance demands recognizing that technology IS the process for effective financial oversight.
Cross-Sectoral Expertise in Monitoring
June 25, 2024
Explore how cross-sectoral expertise in monitoring reveals deeper insights by connecting financial data with physical outputs ensuring a holistic understanding of development challenges and outcomes
The Empty Promise of Integration When Your Modules Dont Actually Talk to Each Other
June 25, 2024
Uncover the hidden risks of assumed system integration in ERP and financial management. Learn why perceived real-time data flow can mask critical control gaps due to batch processing, and how to test for it.
The Monolith and the Federation A Core Architectural Choice in Public Finance
June 25, 2024
Explore the strategic choice between monolithic and federated architectural models for Public Financial Management (PFM) systems. Analyze the risks and benefits of centralized vs. decentralized approaches for government financial control and agility.
Monoliths vs Modular Systems A Strategic Framework for Public Finance Architecture
June 25, 2024
Explore the strategic choice between monolithic and modular architectures for public financial management (PFM) systems. Learn why a federated, API-driven approach offers greater agility, resilience, and better governance for modern states.
Assumptions-as-a-Service The Dangers of Off-the-Shelf Financial Software
June 15, 2024
Discover how off-the-shelf financial software comes with inherent assumptions that can pose risks to development organizations. Learn how to align vendor logic with your specific operational and fiduciary needs.
The In-House Build vs. The Commercial Platform A Risk Comparison
June 1, 2024
Compare the risk profiles of building in-house financial systems versus buying commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms. Understand the implications for strategic decisions and assurance frameworks.
Open Source vs Proprietary Software in Aid A Transparency Trade-off
June 1, 2024
Explore the debate between open source and proprietary software in the aid sector, analyzing the transparency trade-offs, economic realities, and diverse risk profiles for financial management systems.
Logic Mapping How to Visually Reconstruct Your Tech-Driven Process
April 5, 2024
Learn how logic mapping can help visually reconstruct and understand complex tech-driven financial processes. This guide offers practical steps to diagram system workflows for enhanced oversight and risk identification.
Why UI and User Guides Aren't the Truth
March 22, 2024
Discover why relying solely on user interfaces and manuals for financial software can lead to significant risks. Learn about the importance of technical verification of source code for true system understanding.
A Non-Coder's Guide to Interrogating a Financial System
February 14, 2024
Learn how non-technical professionals can effectively interrogate and assess financial software systems without coding knowledge, ensuring robust oversight and mitigating risk.
Structuring a Robust Third-Party Monitoring System for Development Programs
September 20, 2023
Learn the four essential pillars for structuring an effective Third-Party Monitoring (TPM) system, ensuring data integrity and actionable insights for development and stabilization programs.
Your Systems Exception Log The Autobiography of Your De Facto Process
December 24, 2022
Discover how your system's error and exception log is a powerful, underutilized source of intelligence about actual operational workflows. Learn to analyze these logs to reveal the true "autobiography" of your processes and identify hidden risks.
Beyond the Logframe Designing Monitoring Frameworks for a Complex Interconnected World
March 18, 2022
Explore why the linear logframe is insufficient for monitoring complex development projects in interconnected environments. Learn to design systems-based M&E frameworks that monitor critical dependencies and cross-sectoral interfaces for true impact.
Pragmatic Data Systems for Real Time Decision Support
January 4, 2020
Learn how to design a pragmatic data pipeline that shortens the cycle from collection to analysis providing timely reliable information for real time decision making in project management
A Unified Platform - Integrating Data Streams for Secure Monitoring
October 13, 2019
Explore how a unified digital platform solves data fragmentation by securely integrating diverse data streams enabling cross analysis enhancing security and establishing a single source of truth for project oversight
A Systems Approach to Health Monitoring
July 8, 2019
Explore a multi layer framework for systemic health monitoring in fragile states verifying supply chain integrity clinical service quality HMIS data and community perceptions to ensure robust health outcomes
technology
The Future of Fieldwork is Digital
June 25, 2025
Explore how digital data collection using mobile tools transforms fieldwork by improving data quality, efficiency, and real-time availability in development projects.
Test Data Sets The Ultimate Lie Detector for Financial Software
June 25, 2025
Discover how curated test data sets can act as the ultimate lie detector for financial software, revealing hidden flaws and ensuring system robustness beyond "happy path" scenarios.
The Silent Failures How Tech Can Go Wrong Without Anyone Noticing
June 21, 2025
Explore the hidden dangers of silent systemic failures in financial technology, where errors occur without alarms. Learn about archetypes of silent failure and the need for proactive, independent verification.
Is Your Process Improvement Just Deeper Obfuscation?
May 10, 2025
Digitizing flawed processes without critical analysis can lead to deeper obfuscation and new risks. Discover why process rationalization must precede technology to achieve true digital transformation.
It's a Known Bug Why This is the Scariest Phrase in Financial Tech
April 10, 2025
Discover why the phrase "known bug" is a critical governance signal in financial tech. Learn how to formally manage, assess, and mitigate risks from unaddressed software flaws for robust fiduciary oversight.
Who Owns the Algorithm Establishing Governance for Your Financial Tech
February 1, 2025
Explore the accountability vacuum created by automated financial processes and learn how to establish clear governance frameworks, including RACI matrix application, for algorithmic ownership.
Towards Verifiable Systems A New Standard for Development Sector Tech
January 20, 2025
Discover the "Verifiable System" standard for development sector tech, moving from reactive audits to proactive design. Learn about key attributes like exposed configuration, forensically sound audit trails, and dedicated monitoring APIs.
From Controller to Systems Analyst The Evolving Skill Set of the Modern Finance Professional
December 1, 2024
Explore how the role of a finance professional is transforming from traditional controller to systems analyst. Discover the new core competencies required to effectively oversee technology-driven financial processes.
The Black Box of Modern Financial Auditing
November 20, 2024
Explore how traditional financial auditing methods fall short in verifying modern, automated financial processes run by software. Learn about new approaches for technical verification to ensure financial integrity.
The Bricked-Up Door Why Public Finance Discourse Fails to See That Code is Law
November 20, 2024
Explore why public finance management (PFM) often struggles to acknowledge that code is the true law in digital systems. Understand the cultural chasm between legal frameworks and technological reality in government institutions.
The Blueprint and the Building Re-imagining Public Finance in the Digital Age
November 20, 2024
Explore how public financial management must recognize that digital system architecture and code are the true embodiment of financial rules, moving beyond outdated paper-based models for agile and transparent governance.
The Glass Box Mandate Why Donors Should Demand a Look Inside the Code
November 1, 2024
Learn why donors should adopt a "Glass Box Mandate," requiring transparent financial systems by design. This proactive approach enhances fiduciary oversight and accountability in the development sector, moving beyond reactive audits.
Show, Don't Tell Demanding Live Walkthroughs of Your System's Logic
October 20, 2024
Move beyond scripted software demos. Learn how to demand live walkthroughs of system logic under realistic conditions to conduct rigorous fiduciary due diligence and ensure operational integrity.
New Voice in Beneficiary Feedback
September 10, 2024
Discover how IVR and chatbot surveys enhance beneficiary feedback mechanisms in development and humanitarian programs, ensuring wider reach and greater inclusivity.
Where Does "Technology" End and "Process" Begin?
September 1, 2024
Explore how the traditional distinction between process and technology is obsolete. Learn why modern governance demands recognizing that technology IS the process for effective financial oversight.
The Myth of the Monolith The World is Already Modular
August 5, 2024
Debunk the myth of monolithic financial systems in public finance modernization Discover how OECD data reveals a global shift towards modular interconnected digital ecosystems aligning with modern GovTech principles
The Empty Promise of Integration When Your Modules Dont Actually Talk to Each Other
June 25, 2024
Uncover the hidden risks of assumed system integration in ERP and financial management. Learn why perceived real-time data flow can mask critical control gaps due to batch processing, and how to test for it.
The Monolith and the Federation A Core Architectural Choice in Public Finance
June 25, 2024
Explore the strategic choice between monolithic and federated architectural models for Public Financial Management (PFM) systems. Analyze the risks and benefits of centralized vs. decentralized approaches for government financial control and agility.
Scenario Planning What Happens When Your Black Box Fails on Payroll Day
June 20, 2024
Learn how to conduct effective scenario planning and business continuity exercises for critical financial systems. Prepare your organization for "black box" failures, especially on high-stakes days like payroll.
The In-House Build vs. The Commercial Platform A Risk Comparison
June 1, 2024
Compare the risk profiles of building in-house financial systems versus buying commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) platforms. Understand the implications for strategic decisions and assurance frameworks.
Open Source vs Proprietary Software in Aid A Transparency Trade-off
June 1, 2024
Explore the debate between open source and proprietary software in the aid sector, analyzing the transparency trade-offs, economic realities, and diverse risk profiles for financial management systems.
Satellite Imagery for Project Oversight
May 28, 2024
Discover how satellite imagery and remote sensing provide objective, persistent project oversight in challenging environments, enhancing transparency and accountability.
AI in Aid The Next Generation of Financial Black Boxes is Already Here
May 20, 2024
Explore how AI and Machine Learning are creating new, more complex "black boxes" in financial systems for aid. Understand the governance challenges and the need for explainable AI and human accountability.
Why UI and User Guides Aren't the Truth
March 22, 2024
Discover why relying solely on user interfaces and manuals for financial software can lead to significant risks. Learn about the importance of technical verification of source code for true system understanding.
The Power of Why Five Levels of Inquiry for Your Tech Vendor
March 10, 2024
Apply the 5 Whys technique to technology vendor discussions to uncover root causes of system behavior and ensure comprehensive understanding of financial controls and risks
The Koala in the KYC The Difference Between a Presence Check and a Real Control
November 2, 2023
Discover how the "Koala in the KYC" incident illustrates the dangers of superficial "presence checks" versus substantive controls in financial systems. Learn why robust verification of supporting documentation is crucial.
How to Hire a Code Whisperer for Financial Audits
September 1, 2023
Learn the essential competencies for hiring a technical audit specialist who can effectively interrogate financial software systems. Discover key skills beyond coding for robust financial assurance.
Ending the Tyranny of the Tiny Sample Why We Analyze 100 Percent of Transactions
July 7, 2023
Learn why relying on small audit samples is an outdated and risky practice. Discover how modern data analytics enables comprehensive, full-population analysis of transactions for superior financial assurance and risk detection.
Using Geospatial and Multimedia Tools for Enhanced Verification
April 9, 2022
Learn how to integrate geospatial and multimedia tools into monitoring workflows to corroborate reported findings mitigate bias and achieve a higher standard of proof for project verification
Blockchain and Aid Ultimate Transparency or Just a More Complicated Black Box
November 4, 2021
Explore the promises and challenges of blockchain in international aid, questioning if it offers true transparency or a more complex "black box." Discuss the "oracle problem" and governance of smart contracts.
Abyrint's Vision From Monitoring Actions to Verifying Logic
July 15, 2021
Discover Abyrint's vision for evolving monitoring from observing actions to verifying system logic. Learn about the four core pillars of their approach to ensure robust financial assurance in digitized aid delivery.
Remote Data Collection - Utility of IVR, WhatsApp, and Chatbot Tools
June 20, 2020
Assess the utility of IVR WhatsApp and chatbot tools for remote data collection in access-constrained environments navigating digital literacy privacy and survey design for meaningful ethical insights
Three reasons why robotic process automations will change governments in fragile states
April 11, 2019
Discover why Robotic Process Automation (RPA) is feasible & transformative for fragile state governments. Learn about accessible tech, low costs, & innovation drivers. Read more!
Robotic Process Automation of core government
April 11, 2019
Discover the power of Robotic Process Automation (RPA) for governments. Automate repetitive tasks, reduce errors, & achieve quick ROI without rebuilding legacy systems. Learn more!
Leapfrogging technology in fragile states
November 12, 2015
Explore the reality of technology leapfrogging in fragile states. While tech spreads fast, intensity of use varies. Discover opportunities & challenges. Read more!
uncertainty
Adaptability in Project Monitoring
June 28, 2025
Learn why adaptability is crucial for project monitoring in uncertain environments, shifting from static plans to dynamic, principle-based approaches that thrive amidst global shocks.
Operating with Uncertainty - Contingency Planning and Security Risk Mitigation
June 1, 2025
Learn how to integrate contingency planning and security risk mitigation into operational design for fragile environments enabling adaptive safe and predictable program operations through dynamic modalities
Adaptive Monitoring in Access-Constrained Environments
March 11, 2025
Discover a framework for adaptive monitoring in volatile environments using a Traffic Light system to modify methodologies based on access levels ensuring resilient verification and insights
Real-Time Decisions in Volatile Settings
June 10, 2024
Learn how adaptive management and real-time data systems empower project managers to make informed, timely decisions in volatile environments, improving project outcomes.
Manage investments under extreme uncertainty
August 18, 2017
Master investment decisions in high-risk environments. Explore strategies balancing uncertainty and commitment, leveraging knowledge, and portfolio approaches. Unlock smarter investments now!