The Knowledge Management and Technical Support Services (KMTSS) project provided Knowledge Management support to the Land Tenure and Property Rights (LTPR) Division based on needs identified through a consultation process; and assisted in the development and implementation of a communication strategy. USAID’s LTPR Division had produced a significant amount of information over the past decade, which was continually being built upon and enhanced. From 2010-2011 alone, the LTPR Division more than doubled in size. Previous efforts to make information accessible had been challenging and costly. USAID staff, partners, and others engaged in international development activities require tools to more effectively share critical data and work together seamlessly. Implementation of a proper Knowledge Management (KM) programmatic approach improves performance, enhances competitive advantage, drives innovation, and enables sharing of lessons learned. KM allows integration and continuous improvement of the organizational operations. Additionally, while KM is important, it is not sufficient to meet the needs of broadcasting best lessons and methodologies to address land tenure challenges. Therefore, the development and implementation of a communication strategy was essential to complement KM programmatic approach.
Objectives
- Review of LTPR web portal and recommendations for improved design, accessibility and performance;
- Implementation of recommendations to improve land tenure portal;
- Content for the portal describing USAID land tenure activities and programs;
- Review and reprogram portal to link with other web platforms that will allow blogging and other types of communication interface;
- Reduced time and cost for posting USAID briefs and other publications to the portal;
- New information management strategies developed to better communicate USAID’s land tenure programs, and linking these strategies to other internal and external web systems;
- Database of USAID’s land tenure programs, and tracking mechanism for report approval process;
- Develop database and report format to track LTPR Unit achievements, and develop marketing strategy for improved visibility of the Unit’s work;
- In collaboration with LTPR unit, develop Communication Strategy, and implement it. Implementation will be measured by development of at least one marketing campaign and placement of not less than 25 blogs, articles or publications in new and old media per year.
Outcomes
- Conducted a portal scan and assessment, including feedback on content, structure, and key messages from the LTPR Division and from the public;
- Built a new website in the Drupal content management software;
- Created 116 commentaries, three USAID FrontLines articles, and six USAID IMPACT blogs;
- Managed portal content and organizational structure;
- Developed a social media strategy, which was approved and implemented, resulting in 507 tweets and 1,399 referrals to the portal;
- Provided framework and support for the development of new communication strategy for Division;
- Developed a Deliverable Approval Tracking System, a web-based platform for uploading, monitoring, reviewing, revising, and approving project documents and reports under the Strengthening Tenure and Resource Rights (STARR) contract mechanism;
- Developed a Partner Portal for STARR implementing partners to access project reports from current and previous USAID LTPR programs.