Introducing Professional Management in Public Systems: Some Observations from IIMA's Research on Management of Population Programme

Abstract

Since 1976, the Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad's Health and Population Unit has been engaged in an experimental project to improve the efficiency of family planning programs in six districts of Uttar Pradesh, India. Funded by the Government of India and the World Bank, the project explores better management practices for achieving national family planning goals. Key components include developing a Management Information System (MIS), improving work technology through action research, and implementing management development training programs. Despite challenges like resistance within the health bureaucracy, the project demonstrated notable success in enhancing supervision, control, and communication skills among field workers. However, systemic issues such as overemphasis on targets and fragmented reporting persist, necessitating further refinements and policy changes.