Using PDIA to Address Confidentiality Risks in Papua New Guinea

Guest blog by Elly Toimbo, Joyce Maru, Rose Walen, Renat Muruket, Delwyn Dau and Dellah Maiak

We addressed the issue of confidential information being disclosed to perpetrators, which created serious risks. This breach compromised client trust, organizational integrity, and compliance with policy, while also endangering the safety and security of clients, staff, and the organization.

Confidentiality breaches are complex, with multiple interacting causes. Through PDIA, we learned that breaking down the problem, testing small solutions, and adapting iteratively not only reduced risks but also strengthened staff ownership and organizational culture. Each attempt was a win, building capacity and trust.

Reducing Workforce Shortages in Maine Through Policy and Partnership 

Guest blog by Ekhlas Ahmed, IPP ’25

One of the biggest lessons I learned through the IPP course is that policy is about people. The technical aspects of problem-solving are important, but what truly moves work forward is building relationships, engaging stakeholders, and creating coalitions that keep momentum alive. I also learned the importance of finding my own voice as a leader. As someone working in a newly established office with limited resources, I had to learn how to advocate effectively, communicate clearly, and bring others along with me.

Strengthening Employment Pathways for Elite Athletes in Papua New Guinea

Guest blog by Lydia Dimokari, Milton Kisapai, Lua Rikis, Basil Jofari and Kollin Killa Taugamu

Over the past 12 weeks, our team—Opportunity League—embarked on an incredible learning experience through the PDIA (Problem-Driven Iterative Adaptation) approach. Here’s what we discovered, the challenges we tackled, and how this journey is shaping the way we solve problems.

Event: “Ask Me Anything” featuring Lant Pritchett

Lant Pritchett, an Associate at Building State Capability and Research Director at Labor Mobility Partnerships (LaMP), visited the Harvard Kennedy School for a Q&A session on December 4, 2025. He addressed students’ most pressing questions on international development.

Reducing Regional Inequality in Azerbaijan: Tackling Income and Employment Gaps Beyond Baku 

Guest blog by Shamil Shirinov, IPP ’25

When I first joined the IPP course, I thought policy implementation was mostly about having the right plan and making sure it was executed properly. That’s how I had always seen things in practice: deadlines, budgets, checklists. But over time, I came to realize that implementing public policy is less about following a fixed script and more about ruling uncertainty, learning as you go and building coalitions of people who care enough to keep pushing forward. 

Increasing the Engagement of Young Adults in STEM Careers in the Dominican Republic

Guest blog by Mabely Diaz Soriano, IPP ’25

My journey with the IPP program began with a lot of expectations. The process of waiting for the program to open. After the first time, I contacted the IPP team to request more information on the application. It just added more to my increasing questions about how to implement public policies successfully.  

I should stop here and say that my first lesson was on what success is and what it looks like. The first time I heard that success is not one thing, that it can be many things, I honestly felt lost. How can I go after something when I don’t know what it looks like. But soon I learned it is not about having a fixed picture of success, it is about knowing that this picture might change over time, and that is a construction. We can build more success as we go up to what professor Matt Andrews calls the stairway to heaven. We can go up, step by step, firmly over the base of building more functionality and legitimacy. And we can even fail in the process, because failure is an opportunity to learn. 

Strengthening Worker Preparedness in Papua New Guinea

Guest blog by Vanessa Geita, Gabriel Bona, Ivy Karue, Liam Aldan, Alicia Marian and Junior Gabriel Logo

We started this program with a clear sense of purpose, or at least, that’s what we believed. It felt like assembling the Avengers of online learning. We had Liam Aldan from Divine Word University, our systems and e-learning specialist. We had Gabriel Bona from the University of Papua New Guinea, who brought deep experience in IT, platforms, and digital transformation. Then there was Vanessa Geita, an accountant, entrepreneur, podcaster, and course creator who understands content and structure better than most.

Strengthening Engagement in the BSC Community of Practice

written by Marietou Diallo

The Building State Capability (BSC) Community of Practice (CoP) has grown into a vibrant, global network of practitioners committed to learning, experimenting, and supporting one another in their PDIA journeys. What began as a small alumni space has now expanded into a thriving online community of 600+ members from over 105 countries, spanning every region of the world. Over the past year, we’ve taken steps to transform the CoP into an active, collaborative space by creating opportunities for members to connect, share insights, and learn from each other’s work.

BSC 2025: Year in Review

written by Salimah Samji

At Building State Capability (BSC) we resolve public problems with purpose.

We equip teams of practitioners around the world with the tools and resources to improve the implementation of their policies and programs. Since our founding in 2012, we have directly engaged with over 4,850 practitioners in 157 countries and built a global community of practice.

Improving Public Spending Efficiency and Transparency in Panama

Guest blog by Daniel Lombana, IPP ’25

Enrolling in the Harvard Kennedy School program Implementing Public Policy has been one of the best educational decisions I have ever made. I am a lawyer by profession, with a degree in Law and Political Science and a master’s in Procedural Law. Over the years, I have pursued continuous education in areas like public law, parliamentary leadership, and constitutional law. In my professional life, I have worked consistently in the public sector, specifically in legislation, law formation, and social security.