| The implementation of economic and social development programs and projects in the Third World is fraught with difficulty because of numerous inherent environmental and technical constraints. Inadequate management, however, is one of the major reasons cited for poor performance.;Theoretically, a Management Information System (MIS) (that highlights progress and critical deficiencies, and indicates follow-up action required to rectify problem situations) should enhance administrative management capability. However, a comprehensive Development Management Information Systems (DMIS) theory is lacking, and empirically such systems have not been extensively employed in Third World development projects nor improvements always realized where they have been used.;This theoretical lacuna is partially addressed by this study. Twelve salient variables garnered from the management and development literature were hypothesized as "Necessary, if not Sufficient" for successful DMIS design and institutionalization. A relatively successful MIS application to monitor and manage "Masagana 99"--a Philippine national rice production program in the 1970's--was then examined as a prototype DMIS. In addition, Masagana's basic agricultural development policies were evaluated, primarily by means of the MIS data. The author reports his findings as a participant-observer as well as views from other perspectives--to determine the extent to which the twelve hypothesized variables were present, and deemed desirable. A comparative study was also made of DMIS applications in other projects, programs and countries.;The study concludes that none of the twelve hypothesized variables are necessary for successful DMIS design and utilization; however, several variables are highly desirable. With respect to the Masagana program per se, analysis of the MIS data indicates that success was largely in spite of Masagana's agricultural development policies rather than because of them. The study suggests that by heeding the lessons from Masagana's MIS experience, the ability to design, monitor, manage and evaluate Third World development programs and projects can be significantly improved. |
