Vision to Reality: The Reut Blog

Following up on the “Linked” ‘refresher’, an interesting article by the McKinsey Quarterly describes the use of Network Analysis. The research involved recent and ongoing vaccine introductions in a number of countries. Each analysis involved interviewing 30 decision makers and stakeholders (including key ministry officials and NGO representatives).

The interviews included questions relating to the participants exchange of ideas, type of information they exchanged and the degree of involvement with national and international circles and guidelines (use of global experts, UN guidelines etc).

The survey findings helped map out network maps- illustrations that identify relationships and knowledge flows among individuals and groups.

Countries that did introduce international disease experts reported that they gave them a better understanding of the potential impact of the vaccine and helped accelerate the decision to introduce the vaccine. The report also revealed the failure to involve Finance representatives during the decision making process (usually were introduced to it near its end) which contributed to the slow budgeting approval )

This article not only reveals the weak points of introducing vaccines to different countries, it shows the great value in introducing network analysis maps to explore any policy that is introduced and identifying its central ‘hubs’ and preferential attachment and what nodes are not emphasized enough and need to be given more attention.

How can Reut use network analysis to better its Impact methodology?