Devex: Data vs. mosquitoes
Ann Mei Chang, chief innovation officer at USAID and executive director of the U.S. Global Development Lab

“…We have a big opportunity in global development right now. Thanks in part to game-changing advances in information and communications technology, we have better data and tools to analyze development programs, projects, and outcomes than ever before. That means we can make better decisions that result in more effective programs and better results for communities around the world. That’s why one of the principles for digital development is, ‘Be data-driven.’ But it’s not simple: We need to not only collect data, but also analyze it and adapt our interventions as a result. It takes a sustained effort to build interoperable data systems, cross-validate data sources, and analyze outcomes. But the rewards are worth it…” (8/3).

Devex: What USAID has learned from its public-private partnership data
Winnette Richards, research and data associate with the Center for Transformational Partnerships in USAID’s Global Development Lab, and Lisa Liu, program analyst with the U.S. Global Development Lab’s Center for Transformational Partnerships

“At the U.S. Agency for International Development, we are committed to a data-driven and evidence-based approach to development. Data plays a critical role in understanding our development impact, adapting our strategies, and communicating our results. But with limited time, resources, and technology, the process of identifying and collecting the right data — and making sure that data … is accurate, relevant, and useful — can be extremely challenging. … Data is more than just numbers — it’s the beginning of a dialogue. … USAID’s [public-private partnership (PPP)] data has been critical to telling our story … As a data-driven organization committed to leveraging data and evidence to drive decision-making, USAID strives to use this PPP data to reflect on our offerings and build an evidence base for better understanding how to enhance private sector engagement to achieve our development goals” (8/3).