Nadim Matta

President
Rapid Results Institute
Focus Area(s)
Civil Service
Critical Tasks
Rapid results
Interviewers
Jennifer Widner
Town/City
Washington, DC
Country
United States
Date of Interview
Friday, March 22, 2013
Abstract

In this interview, Nadim Matta explains the philosophy and logistics of the Rapid Results Initiatives (RRIs). He describes how these highly choreographed 100-day projects, once introduced into large-scale programs, forge ownership and accountability for results at the local level. Furthermore, he discusses the creation of the RRIs and his projects with the World Bank. He talks about instances of RRI implementation in Nicaragua, Madagascar and Eritrea, describing the different forms of project management, leadership support and civil service rules. Finally, he notes contexts in which RRIs are more likely to succeed and potential roadblocks to results. 

Case Studies:  Building Capacity, Changing Norms: Rapid Results in Madagascar, 2005-2009Enhancing Capacity, Changing Behaviors: Rapid Results in Gashaki, Rwanda, 2008, and Building A Culture Of Results: Institutionalizing Rapid Results Initiatives In Kenya, 2005-2009

Profile

At the time of this interview, Nadim Matta was the President and founding board member of the Rapid Results Institute. Born and raised in Lebanon, he received a degree in electrical engineering from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, a Master’s Degree in Public Health from the American University of Beirut and an MBA from the Yale School of Management. He worked at the U.S. Agency of International Development in Beirut where he oversaw relief and rehabilitations programs during the Lebanese civil war. He also worked for Save the Children Federation where he led the implementation of food assistance programs for displaced families in Lebanon. In 1990, he joined Schaffer Consulting and became a managing partner of the firm in 2009. In 2012 he was named as one of the top 100 Global Thinkers by the Foreign Policy Magazine and was selected as a Yale School of Management Donaldson Fellow for 2012 and 2013. 

Keywords
rapid results
World Bank
civil service
project management
Not specified