Network Management Tools

This page contains information and tools on network management and how to improve network effectiveness and sustainability. Managers of any type of network face similar issues and may find these tools useful.

If you have difficulty in downloading materials, please tell us what you want (info@cap-net.org ) and we shall send it to you on CD.

If you want to submit any materials to this page please contact info@cap-net.org.

2008

• Cap-Net, Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning Plan. 

A paper and tools supporting improved monitoring of outputs and outcomes of capacity building activities.

2007

• Cap-Net, Planning Short Training Courses.

An overview of the practical steps required when planning short training courses. A checklist at the end helps to recall important things easily forgotten.

2006

• GTZ , Work the Net, A management guide for formal networks , link

  This is a hand-on guide for setting up, managing and using formal networks efficiently and effectively. It focuses on the structural and operational issues of the networks and explains the most important aspects in making them work.

  The guide addresses network practitioners, as well as other professionals wishing to establish a network. Hopefully, those involved in established networks will find some useful tips too.

2005

• Cap-Net , Monitoring and Measuring Capacity Building Networks. Performance in 2004 .
  The report summarises the results of a self assessment of capacity building networks carried out in December 2004. It provides an insight into the complexity of network management and the challenges to become effective as facilitators of capacity building delivery.

• Cap-Net , Guide to Project Proposal Development .
  A simple guide on the basics of a good project proposal.

2004

• Cap-Net , Opportunity Assessment - A Tool for Work Planning ,
  Opportunity assessment tool - A tool for work planning consisting of a set of guidelines, recommended activities, tips and definitions that may be used partly or as a whole to identify project opportunities and establish a proactive relation of the network with its target public. The main purpose is to enable capacity building networks identify the immediate capacity building requirements of the water managers in the water sector and to prioritise those needs according to the ability of the network to deliver.

• Cap-Net , Facilitation and Presentation Techniques .
  A selection of guidance materials from the web. Further information will be added on facilitation methods and tools.

• Cap-Net , Capacity Building Networks: Monitoring and Measuring Performance ,
  This provides a basic set of indicators for assessing performance of a network. The tool can be used for a self assessment, given to members or an evaluator. The results are useful to re-assess goals, strategies and activities.

• Cap-Net , Applying Knowledge Management. A tool for Capacity Building Networks .
  This paper considers the various aspects of knowledge management for capacity building networks. It helps networks and resource centres consider how to address knowledge management in a systematic way.

• CapNet Pakistan, Application of the opportunity assessment tool ,
  An example of application of the opportunity assessment tool, by CapNet Pakistan. This is a shortened version of the report; if you require the extended version, including annexes, please send an e-mail to info@cap-net.org

• ECDPM , Facilitation tools. (From: Institutional Development, Learning by Doing and Sharing .)
  This is a compiliation of 10 useful facilitation tools with many references to additional sources. The full document is on the reference section of this site and deals in more depth with tools suitable for working on institutional strengthening.

2003

• Cap-Net , Guidelines for Establishing & Managing a Network ,
  Guidelines for Establishing & Managing a Network consist of accumulated experience on how to make networks more effective.

• Indij Damian, Latin American Water Education Training Network, constitution 2003 ,
  The LAWETnet constitution describes the mission and vision of the network, the state of affairs and the objectives for the near future.

2002

• Cap-Net , Lessons Learned from WaterNet. Summary report .
  A concise report drawing the main lessons from the operations of WaterNet, a capacity building network for water. The lessons are expected to be useful to other networks and address management and operational issues. Drawn from the full report by H Krugman and Low Kwai Sim.

• Krugman H., Low K.S., 'Lessons Learned' from WaterNet ,
  A review study of WaterNet,a network of 18 University departments and training institutes from 10 countries in Southern and Eastern Africa. Aim of the study is to transfer lessons and providing guidance to other regions.

2001

• Creech H., Willard T., Strategic Intentions. Managing Knowledge Networks for Sustainable Development .
  This is a very useful book on the management of networks. Experience of knowledge networks is similar to that for capacity building networks. There is a lot of good practical advice and experience on various aspects of network management and it should be read by every network manager.

2000

• WaterNet Secretariat , WaterNet: Summary of the Proposed Draft Constitution,
  A summary of the proposed WaterNet constitution incorporating the structure of the network, membership criteria and the outline of the WaterNet trust is presented.