In Oxford Policy Management’s MUVA program, funded by DFID, informal female market sellers have embraced the PDIA-inspired fishbone diagram to diagnose their own challenges. This innovative approach has enabled them to pinpoint the factors constraining their businesses’ growth, allowing MUVA to align its efforts with the perspectives and experiences of the women it aims to assist. More significantly, it has fostered the development of problem-solving skills essential for the personal and professional advancement of marginalized female market sellers, making the fishbone diagram not just a business tool but a tool for life.

There has been skepticism about the applicability of adaptive models like PDIA in empowerment programs such as MUVA. Questions arise about what “doing development differently” means in locally led practices and whether PDIA can extend beyond public sector reforms. Witnessing women apply the fishbone diagram to their lives underscores PDIA’s broader utility beyond government-led initiatives. Particularly in bottom-up development programs aimed at empowering vulnerable groups, a PDIA-type approach proves effective, especially in problem identification.

In this context, marginalized female market sellers are not waiting for external experts to define their problems and prescribe solutions. MUVA is fostering problem-solving skills among these women, empowering them to take control of their lives and make informed decisions regarding their businesses. Recognizing the limitations of traditional business training, MUVA emphasizes proactive mindsets and entrepreneurial behaviors, alongside technical skills.

The fishbone diagram, facilitating collaborative problem analysis among those directly experiencing challenges, aligns perfectly with this approach. MUVA encourages women to identify significant business problems that seem overwhelming, such as insufficient profits. Through structured analysis using the fishbone diagram, causes and sub-causes of complex issues are dissected, providing valuable insights for both MUVA and the women themselves.

For example, many market traders in Maputo face the challenge of limited clientele due to product uniformity. Using the fishbone diagram, MUVA uncovers underlying causes such as lack of confidence in diversifying products. Addressing these issues requires not only technical training but also focus on personal barriers and behavioral change.

MUVA’s training model emphasizes soft skills alongside technical expertise, recognizing the importance of self-confidence and critical thinking in unlocking economic opportunities for marginalized women. By employing adaptive programming, MUVA challenges gender norms and empowers women to realize their full potential in Mozambique’s labor market. The fishbone diagram serves as a starting point in reshaping how these women perceive their businesses and lives, laying the groundwork for growth and empowerment.