What negatively impacts the adoption of programmatic learning?
Budget constraints within Security and Rule of Law (SRoL) organisations are a common constraint. Each cent counts and these limitations reduce the investment, implementation and maintenance capabilities of digital learning tools in an organisation. According to the PLI | Propel Report (2024), financial constraints can infringe on access to cutting-edge technologies, reduce training of personnel and consequently, decrease the potential effect of programmatic learning efforts.
Resource scarcity also affects the uptake of digital tools since organisations are strongly called upon to make a difficult choice of where to allocate their limited funds. – and it translates into strained human capital, underutilised technologies, poor training and poor results for programmes. Proof of this is seen in the PLI | Propel Report which captures examples where inadequate resources prevented full deployment of digital tools and as a result, reduced their potential towards driving agile decision-making and shared learning.
Participants in the study further affirmed how this led to innovation not being realised on the ground. However, these core challenges notwithstanding, strategic decisions can help organisations maximise the impact from their limited resources.
Investment into digital tools that assure the highest return on investment with respect to operational efficiency and learning outcomes proves to be pivotal to programme success. Enterprises can focus critical functionalities directly related to the central mission of the organisation, draw on low cost or open source solutions, and look into funding models that include partnerships, grants or cost sharing arrangements.
Also in terms of maximising impact from limited resources, this can go so far as the enable staff to achieve KPIs. As stated in the report, “Indeed, participants acknowledge and emphasise the actual role that tools play in enhancing accessibility, particularly when it comes to reaching remote and marginalised communities and individuals. They additionally highlighted the central role that tools play in enabling the organisation to access, gather, analyse and disseminate information effectively.”
One report participant described programmatic learning and tools for it as “the heart of the programme” saying, “It [programmatic learning] is the heart of the program, it contributes effectively as it permits the organisation to build and give more information with the goal of addressing the KPI. Another important aspect is the fact that this information is also shared by all members at around the same time.“
Strategising resource management is the most prominent way to effectively integrate digital learning tools into SRoL programmes. It allows organisations to work outside of budget constraints by prioritising investments, optimising resource allocation, equipping people for success and pursuing alternative funding models that can fully exploit the potential that digital tools have towards the improvement of programmatic learning and outcomes.
In conclusion, the successful adoption of digital learning tools in SRoL hinges not merely on availability, but on strategic resource management and innovative funding strategies. Despite the prevalence of financial and resource constraints, SRoL organisations can leverage digital tools to significantly enhance programmatic learning and operational effectiveness. By prioritising investments in key digital resources, utilising cost-effective or open-source solutions, and exploring alternative funding models like partnerships and grants, these organisations can overcome traditional budgetary limitations.
This approach not only facilitates the strategic integration of essential digital tools but also ensures that these tools are utilised to their full potential, fostering an environment of enhanced decision-making, continuous learning and innovation. In turn, this positions these organisations to set the benchmark for effective programmatic execution and outcomes as they drive meaningful change in the complex arenas of security and legal governance.