In 2020, BSC confronted the unprecedented challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic and global economic disparities. This period of crisis underscored the critical need for enhancing public sector capabilities to address complex issues. BSC’s response was multifaceted, focusing on training policymakers and practitioners in crisis leadership, public policy implementation, fostering inclusive growth, and navigating fiscal uncertainty.
PDIA: A Transformative Approach to Economic Challenges
The Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation (PDIA) approach stood out as a cornerstone of BSC’s strategy. This method, emphasizing a step-by-step breakdown of issues to their root causes, enabled a deeper understanding of economic stagnation and strategic growth management. PDIA’s practical application provided a novel perspective on developing tailored solutions to multifaceted problems.
High Bandwidth Organizations: Catalysts for Growth
A notable insight from 2020 was the dynamic role of high bandwidth organizations in addressing national growth challenges. These entities, bridging public and private sector efforts, introduced a new model for rapid decision-making and solution implementation. Their operation marked a shift towards localized, context-specific strategies over-generalized foreign models, aiming for a more equitable economic growth distribution.
BSC’s Pivotal Educational Programs
BSC successfully transitioned its executive education programs online, leveraging its expertise in digital and blended learning. This adaptation allowed for continued engagement with a global audience, offering real-world problem-solving opportunities. Key program highlights included:
- Training 875 global practitioners;
- Launching 89 blog posts and 17 podcasts;
- Activating the HKS IPP community of practice.
Collaborative Engagements and Global Impact
BSC’s collaborative projects, such as the Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative and the GovLab partnership, exemplified its commitment to practical solutions and capacity building. The engagement with diverse groups, from city teams to PFM practitioners, showcased BSC’s extensive impact across governance and development sectors.
Vision for Future Policy Implementation
As BSC looks to the future, the lessons from 2020 will inform its ongoing mission to enhance governance and economic development strategies. The focus will remain on innovative education, fostering high bandwidth organizations, and applying PDIA principles to meet evolving global challenges.
Strategic Highlights and Learnings from BSC 2020
- Innovative Adaptation to Online Learning: Transitioned key executive programs to digital platforms, ensuring continuous global engagement;
- Application of PDIA in Practice: Emphasized real-world problem-solving, enhancing participants’ abilities to tackle complex issues;
- Engagement Across Sectors: Fostered collaboration with 875 global practitioners, impacting policy and economic development practices;
- Community of Practice Activation: Expanded the HKS IPP network, nurturing a collaborative environment for shared learning and growth.
Comparative Table: Traditional vs. BSC’s Innovative Approaches in 2020
| Aspect | Traditional Approaches | BSC’s Innovative Approaches |
|---|---|---|
| Educational Delivery | Conventional, in-person programs. | Pivoted to online and blended learning models. |
| Problem-Solving Methodology | Linear, solution-first strategies. | Adopted PDIA for iterative, root cause analysis. |
| Stakeholder Engagement | Limited interaction between sectors. | Fostered high bandwidth organizations for collaborative growth. |
| Economic Strategy | One-size-fits-all policies. | Tailored, context-specific approaches emphasizing equitable growth. |
| Learning and Adaptation | Static educational content. | Dynamic, real-world problem engagement and community practice activation. |
Month-by-Month Playback of 2020 at BSC
January:
- Collaboration with Bloomberg Harvard City Leadership Initiative: Developed online modules for the Cross-Boundary Collaboration Program;
- Public Financial Management Program: Led by BSC Faculty Director Matt Andrews, engaging 36 practitioners;
- PDIA in Action Course: Co-taught by Matt Andrews and Salimah Samji, focusing on real-world problem-solving.
February:
- “Cutting Edge of Economic Development” Program: Co-chaired by Ricardo Hausmann and Matt Andrews;
- Panel Moderation on State Capacity: Conducted by BSC Director at the India Conference at Harvard;
- Publication on Policy Implementation: Featured in the Dubai Policy Review.
March:
- Public Leadership Through Crisis Blog Series: Initiated by Matt Andrews to guide leaders during the Covid-19 pandemic;
- Podcast Release on Building Effective Teams: Recorded by BSC Faculty Associate, Professor Monica Higgins.
April:
- Strategic Leadership Podcast Series: A 4-part series on the 4P model recorded with Rob Wilkinson;
- HKS Dean’s Council Discussion Series: Matt Andrews shared insights on crisis leadership.
May:
- Transition to Online Executive Education: Pivoted a 5-day residential program to a 10-week online format;
- Support for COVID-19 Response in Honduras: Assisted in private sector support and lockdown strategy formulation.
June:
- Implementing Public Policy Program Pivot: Transitioned to a 25-week online format;
- Analysis Update by Lant Pritchett: “The Big Stuck” revisited to assess quality of government over time.
July:
- Community of Practice Leadership Transition: Welcomed new moderators for the HKS IPP community;
- Guest Blogs on Covid-19: Insights shared by former BSC team member Peter Harrington.
September:
- Feature in HKS Magazine: Highlighting decision-making amid uncertainty and alumni achievements;
- Lessons from Online Learning Experience: Shared at the HKS Executive Education Faculty Innovators Group.
October:
- Commission on Morocco Development Model Presentation: Insights on public policy challenges shared by Matt Andrews;
- Budgeting in Times of Crisis Program: Launched to aid government officials in fiscal planning.
December:
- Implementing Public Policy Program Closing Ceremony: Celebrated the completion of the 25-week course;
- Podcast Interview with Sandra Naranjo: Discussion on public budgeting during crises.
This chronological summary showcases BSC’s adaptability and proactive approach throughout a year marked by global challenges. From educational program pivots to direct policy support and insightful publications, BSC remained at the forefront of addressing complex issues through innovative learning and collaborative engagement.
Conclusion
BSC’s journey through the tumultuous year of 2020 showcased resilience, adaptability, and a steadfast commitment to global improvement through education and policy engagement. By embracing innovative approaches and fostering inclusive, dynamic solutions to complex challenges, BSC has set a new standard for leadership and growth in the face of adversity.
The lessons learned and strategies developed during this period will undoubtedly shape future directions in governance and economic policy, reinforcing BSC’s role as a beacon of innovation and progress.