PFM Conference Knowledge Base

by Doug Hadden, ICGFM VP Communications

You will find an updated PFM Knowledge Transfer series on the FreeBalance Sustainability Blog with notes, images and presentations from the 23rd Annual ICGFM Conference. This knowledge transfer series includes notes about:

1. Introduction and References
2. History of Public Financial Management Reforms
   current cycle of PFM reforms
   how the financial crisis is accelerating PFM reforms
3. Benefits of IFMIS
   enabling government reform
   improve efficiency and controls
   improve conficence through transparency
   reduce costs
   improve budgets, planning and decision-making
4. Acquisition Practices
   build or buy
5. Implementation Practices and Project Management
   implementation practices lessons learned
   project management
   government ownership
   planning and benchmarks
   building the government team
   role of IT
6. Implementation Sequencing
   implementation success factors
   issues and reasons for sequencing
   implementation and roll-out phases
   post implementation changes
   diagnostic tools
7. Capacity Building
   coordinating training and implementation plans
   capacity development
   staffing and skills
8. Subjects in PFM - Procurement, Budget Planning and Performance Management
   procurement
   budget planning
   performance management
   public private partnerships (PPP)
9. Transparency and Accountability
   need for transparency
   budget transparency
   forms of accountability
   service transformation
   elements of good governance and transparency
   international benchmarks - lessons learned

Uganda and The Bahamas become ICGFM Sustaining Members

The Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of Uganda and the

Ministry of Finance of The Bahamas have become the latest ICGFM sustaining members.

ICGFM Spring Conference Useful and Interesting Presentations

The survey from the 23rd Annual ICGFM Conference in Miami identified the most useful and interesting sessions. All sessions were rated as useful and interesting by participants. The sessions that were selected as the most useful and interesting were:

Main Conference (Monday to Wednesday)

1. Factors the Led to the Global Financial Crisis: David M Walker
2. Budgeting in Times of Crisis: Kevin Page
3. How the Financial Crisis Effects Public Private Partnerships: Filip Drapak and Andy Wynne

Workshops (Thursday and Friday)

1. PEFA Workshops: Frans Ronsholt and Franck Bessette
2. Public Procurement Reform: Pamela Bigart
3. Finance and Technology for More Effective Systems, A CFO's Perspective: Christine Walker

Government Budgeting in Times of Crisis

Three videos from the 23rd ICGFM Conference in Miami from Kevin Page are now available. Mr. Page, the Parliamentary Budget Officer in Canada, described the challenges in legislative oversight during the current international financial crisis.

Managing Risk in Post Conflict Aid Projects

Dr. Arthur Keyes, President and CEO of International Relief and Development (IRD), described how to mitigate risk in aid projects at the June DC Forum in Washington. Dr. Keyes highlighted his presentation by describing the need for accountability within his organization. He remarked that he spends more time with auidtors than with his own children.


Dr. Keyes provided pointers on mitigating risk in conflict and post-conflict countries including:

• Providing security personnel
• Operating "under the radar" so as not to be obvious
• Work with the community for programs
• Ensure that donor commitments are in writing
• Hire local staff and manage with ex-patriots
• Build local capacity
• Ensure proper rotation of ex-patriots to reduce burn-out
• Find methods to ensure that projects are being accomplished - with pictures
• Audit to ensure that funds were disbursed properly

Optimizing aid delivery is a topical subject. Dr. Keyes answered questions about the transition to civilian government in Afghanistan and Iraq. He noted that we have all seen the world change in front of our eyes. He remarked that he recently spent a week in Baghdad and Mosul but did not hear any explosions.

Dr. Keyes explained his journey to creating IRD during the Balkan crisis. Since founding in 1990, IRD has grown from 3 people to around 4,000. IRD is the largest NGO recipient of USAID and operates in 35 countries serving 100 million people with an annual budget of about $500 million.

ICGFM May Conference Survey Shows Improvements

ICGFM Conference Participants Highly Satisfied

Conference surveys from the 2008 and 2009 ICGFM annual conferences shows high satisfaction among delegates.

The vast majority of participants in the Spring conferences agree or strongly agree that speakers were effective, useful information was presented and the conference contributed to professional development.

ICGFM endeavours to improve professional development and share good practices among governments. Conference delegates are encouraged to rate sessions and the overall conference quality.

Results improved in Spring 2009 with results in the mid 90s. Participants found the PEFA workshop and other interactive sessions very useful, according to the survey.