• The Open University

Global Development in Practice: Designing an Intervention

This course will provide you with the skills, tools and methodologies to plan a development intervention.

  • Duration

    12 weeks
  • Weekly study

    13 hours

Designing a Global Development Intervention

Using real-life case studies, the course critically engages with tools, frameworks and methods associated with designing development interventions. Students will be taken through the process of planning, implementing and evaluating a development intervention, with the different stages covered roughly in chronological sequence according to the concept of the project (or programme) cycle, which is widely used among development agencies. The main focus is on development management practice, although we will not be losing sight of the more theoretical issues and debates.

What topics will you cover?

  • Apply tools, methods and frameworks for investigation and analysis aimed at informing development policy and practice.
  • Construct and communicate arguments using clear conceptual frameworks, integrating quantitative and qualitative evidence.
  • Use sound methodological principles and practices to investigate a development management problem;
  • Critically analyse the contexts, processes and outcomes of development interventions, and the relationships by means of which interventions are undertaken.
  • Gather and make effective use of data of various sorts, from diverse sources, and from different media.

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

Who is the course for?

This microcredential is aimed at practitioners working within the development industry. It will provide the skills, tools and methodologies to plan a development intervention.

Who will you learn with?

Dinar Kale is a senior lecturer in International Development and Innovation at the Development Policy and Practice group at the Open University.

Lecturer in Global Development at the Open University: Educator, Researcher, Analyst, Advisor, and MOOC maker.

Giles Mohan is a Professor of International Development at The Open University and has developed many courses aimed at professionals working in international development and humanitarianism.

Who developed the course?

The Open University

As the UK’s largest university, The Open University (OU) supports thousands of students to achieve their goals and ambitions via supported distance learning, helping to fit learning around professional and personal life commitments.

  • Established

    1969
  • Location

    Milton Keynes, UK
  • World ranking

    Top 510Source: Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2020

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

  • Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
  • Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
  • Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

  • Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
  • Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
  • Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

  • As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
  • Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control

Want to know more about learning on FutureLearn? Using FutureLearn

Join the conversation on social media

You can use the hashtag #FLdevelopmentmanagement to talk about this course on social media.