Development information in AID

External evaluation covers the period through 11/87 and is based on site visits, document review, and interviews with involved personnel. Overall, the A.I.D. development information system (DIS) is performing well. The DIS has improved significantly in recent years: it is much more complete, organized (in computer format), efficient, and utilized than it was 5 or 10 years ago. The system includes central database and document services, provided by the Document and Information Handling Facility (DIHF), reference and research services (R&RS), and the provision and analysis of basic economic and social data (ESDB) from developing countries. The DIS is of a higher quality than the systems of most other national and international development organizations; it is more advanced, more widely used, and broader in coverage than the systems of, for example, the World Bank or the Canadian International Development Agency. A.I.D. is also making important progress in ensuring that its own development experiences are documented, made widely accessible, and effectively linked with other sources of development information for use by A.I.D. staff and others. In addition, all three aspects of the DIS are being competently managed by private contractors. Despite this progress, there continues to be room for improving the DIS. First, each of the three aspects of the DIS could be improved through stronger networking efforts both within and outside of the Agency. Second, the DIS, despite its progress, continues to lag behind some other public and private information systems. In particular, the DIS does not link top-level managers with development information as effectively as it should. Top Agency managers have not yet fully recognized that development information is a very valuable resource. A.I.D. is in a position to substantially improve the DIS. Three key recommendations are made. (1) The Agency should outline a policy governing its management of development information; specific needs are to assign responsibilities for development information management, establish uniform standards and procedures for acquiring and accessing development information, develop an informed acquisitions program, and set requirements for the use of development information by A.I.D. staff at all levels. (2) An Agency-wide Development Information Network (DIN), with participation required of all A.I.D. Bureaus and Missions, should be created. (3) Increased technical and consulting support should be provided, by A.I.D./W and its DIS contractors, to DIN members, developing country personnel and individual A.I.D. projects.