Best understood through action; most effective through practice

By Milena S. Murta

When I started reading the PD guide, this particular phrase called my attention. “PD is best understood through action and most effective through practice”. Then I carefully went through all the definitions, steps and hints that the document provided. What a treasure…It seems that in every word, not only the meaning is attached but also a considerable dose of excitement, of encouragement.

Even though I’ve already read the PD approach case studies (PD being applied in different locations) I considered that, after reading the guide, it was very important (almost a mandatory following reading!) to  take a second look at them. To use a metaphor…I guess the guide provides us the dots, and the case studies provide the connections. Using both, we connect the dots.

Something like this: while the guide says that one of the first steps is to verify the presence of potential PD individuals, groups or larger entities within the organization or community through secondary data, the study in Vietnam (where PD was used to combat malnutrition) showed that “PD caregivers were feeding their children three to four times a day, rather than the customary two meals; PD caregivers were actively feeding their children, making sure there was no food wasted; and PD caregivers washed the hands of the children before and after they ate”.

While the guide says that the PD approach should be used when the problem is not exclusively technical but also relational and requires behavioral or/and social change, the study in rural Argentina (where PD was used to combat student retention) showed that young children in that location play a key role in generating family livelihoods. “For them, and their parents, school attendance is a relatively low priority. Survival takes precedence over education. However, not every elementary school in Misiones has high dropout rates. Some schools do better.”

While the guide says that the leaders can extend the invitation to their constituency by first exploring the issues to which PD can be most appropriately applied and that everybody should be involved in the process: including individuals from policy level to front line staff, the study in an US hospital (where PD was used to control and prevent MRSA) showed that “In studying the maps with her team, Iversen found several “unlikely suspects,” people who were highly connected with others and served as a resource, but who were not previously recognized as leaders.”

While the guide says that sample tools or activities such as “participatory photography and drawing” can be used to help the community to define or reframe the problem, the study in Uganda (where PD was used to empower child protection) showed that through a collective sketch made by several “PD girls”, “we see how they share their knowledge about farming and work together to maximize their time and profits”.

While the guide says that “the community owns the entire process” and that they designs ways to practice and amplify successful behaviors and strategies and unleashes innovation, the testimony of one young mother in Pakistan (where the PD approach was used to enhance maternal and newborn care) just explains all: “When people come from outside, it does not feel good. But if we see the new things with our eyes, and try them, and see some people practicing them, that definitely has a stronger effect.”

Practice, action, involvement. Aren’t all other things in our lives best understood through action and most effective through practice? I think so.

And just to mention: thanks Dr. Singhal...the "awesome" TED talk is just a "must see!" Some people have the talent to say what I really think, but sometimes I just don't find the suitable words. Neil Pasricha is definitely one of them!