More efficient project execution and evaluation with logical framework and project cycle management: evidence from international development projects

The importance of international development projects in the field of international aid is growing. Given the characteristics of these projects, some specific methodologies have been developed, such as project cycle management (PCM) and the logical framework (LF) to efficiently carry out social impact assessment and project execution. However, few studies have analyzed the diffusion of these methodologies, especially in the context of non-governmental organizations (NGOs). With a survey of 109 Project Managers working for Italian NGOs, we show that PCM and LF are extensively adopted by NGOs compared with other standard methodologies (e.g. PMBOK Guide, IPMA). Moreover, we show how the adoption of PCM and LF is related to the level of knowledge of such tools by project managers, thus highlighting the importance of training. Finally, in line with previous studies, we find that project managers in NGOs believe that such tools are not easy to use but optimize the (social) impacts of the projects.