TY - JOUR
T1 - Factors that enable and hinder the implementation of projects in the alcohol and other drug field
AU - MacLean, Sarah
AU - Berends, Lynda
AU - Hunter, Barbara
AU - Roberts, Bridget
AU - Mugavin, Janette
PY - 2012
Y1 - 2012
N2 - Objective: Few studies systematically
explore elements of successful project
implementation across a range of alcohol
and other drug (AOD) activities. This
paper provides an evidence base to inform
project implementation in the AOD field.
Approach: We accessed records for 127
completed projects funded by the Alcohol,
Education and Rehabilitation Foundation
from 2002 to 2008. An adapted realist
synthesis methodology enabled us to
develop categories of enablers and barriers
to successful project implementation, and to
identify factors statistically associated with
successful project implementation, defined
as meeting all funding objectives. Thematic
analysis of eight case study projects
allowed detailed exploration of findings.
Results: Nine enabler and 10 barrier
categories were identified. Those most
frequently reported as both barriers and
enablers concerned partnerships with
external agencies and communities,
staffing and project design.
Conclusion: Achieving supportive
relationships with partner agencies and
communities, employing skilled staff and
implementing consumer or participant input
mechanisms were statistically associated
with successful project implementation.
Implications: The framework described
here will support development of evidencebased
project funding guidelines and
project performance indicators. The study
provides evidence that investing project
hours and resources to develop robust
relationships with project partners and
communities, implementing mechanisms
for consumer or participant input and
attracting skilled staff are legitimate and
important activities, not just in themselves
but because they potentially influence
achievement of project funding objectives.
AB - Objective: Few studies systematically
explore elements of successful project
implementation across a range of alcohol
and other drug (AOD) activities. This
paper provides an evidence base to inform
project implementation in the AOD field.
Approach: We accessed records for 127
completed projects funded by the Alcohol,
Education and Rehabilitation Foundation
from 2002 to 2008. An adapted realist
synthesis methodology enabled us to
develop categories of enablers and barriers
to successful project implementation, and to
identify factors statistically associated with
successful project implementation, defined
as meeting all funding objectives. Thematic
analysis of eight case study projects
allowed detailed exploration of findings.
Results: Nine enabler and 10 barrier
categories were identified. Those most
frequently reported as both barriers and
enablers concerned partnerships with
external agencies and communities,
staffing and project design.
Conclusion: Achieving supportive
relationships with partner agencies and
communities, employing skilled staff and
implementing consumer or participant input
mechanisms were statistically associated
with successful project implementation.
Implications: The framework described
here will support development of evidencebased
project funding guidelines and
project performance indicators. The study
provides evidence that investing project
hours and resources to develop robust
relationships with project partners and
communities, implementing mechanisms
for consumer or participant input and
attracting skilled staff are legitimate and
important activities, not just in themselves
but because they potentially influence
achievement of project funding objectives.
UR - http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1753-6405.2011.00804.x/pdf
U2 - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2011.00804.x
DO - 10.1111/j.1753-6405.2011.00804.x
M3 - Article
VL - 36
SP - 61
EP - 68
JO - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
JF - Australian and New Zealand Journal of Public Health
SN - 1753-6405
IS - 1
ER -