There are no "quick fixes" for organizations facing complex challenges. However, there are resources that offer a systematic approach for diagnosing problems and improving performance.

M&L consultants may begin an assignment by engaging a group of health managers in a focused conversation that we call a "two-day dialog." Structured exercises help the group to collectively formulate a plan to move forward with real challenges.

The M&L Program has developed a simple survey (available in English, Spanish, French, and Arabic) that tests organizational climate to measure how a manager’s practices affect employee performance and motivation. We use it to gain a "before" and "after" perspective on the progress made by clients as they develop stronger management and leadership capabilities.

	Scaling Up HIV/AIDS Programs: A Manual for Multisectoral Planning Scaling up HIV/AIDS programs requires that many sectors work together to develop the plan and commit their resources to the implementation of program activities. This manual is invaluable to anyone involved in creating partnerships, designing activities, and allocating resources to achieve the HIV/AIDS program goals. It includes tips for facilitators of the national planning process and can be used at the regional as well as the national level. Examples from Tanzania and other countries bring the process to life.
	Financial Management Assessment Tool The Financial Management Assessment Tool provides step-by-step instructions for conducting a financial management assessment, developing consensus on improvements, and integrating recommendations into work plans. It includes both an instrument to collect and summarize technical information and a guide for applying the instrument. The Financial Management Assessment Tool builds on the Management and Organizational Sustainability Tool (MOST), a process that enables managers to assess their organization's management capacity and make concrete plans for improvement.
	Our work with clients is grounded in a performance improvement process that identifies problems and solutions and encourages higher achievement by individuals and teams. We employ a guided process to analyze the root causes of performance gaps and select interventions that address the root causes. To find out how the performance improvement process was used in Honduras, click here.
	A comprehensive collection of health management tools can be downloaded from the Health Manager's Toolkit. These are developed by MSH and more than a dozen other organizations. They have been field-tested in many, many consulting engagements. Among the most widely used tools are these:
	Management and Organizational Sustainability Tool (MOST) MOST is a highly participatory management diagnostic tool that enables managers in NGOs and public-sector institutions to develop a management capacity profile for their organization and a prioritized action plan for improvement.
	We draw upon the extensive catalog of publications offered by MSH, including the award-winning periodical, The Manager, which presents in-depth discussions of important public health topics and management strategies for improving health services. Recent issues have covered leadership, HIV-AIDS, and decentralization of health systems. Click here for a catalog of publications
	Human Resource Management Assessment Tool Part of the MOST series of tools, this tool is used for human resource management/human capacity development (HRM/HCD). M&L adapted this approach in developing the Human Resource Management Assessment Tool for HIV/AIDS Environments, which covers the usual issues – personnel policies and administrative structures – but in addition, assesses concerns particularly important in AIDS environments.
	Cost Revenue Analysis Tool (CORE) CORE is a powerful spreadsheet-based tool designed to help health and family planning managers improve the efficiency and financial viability of their services. CORE helps managers analyze and compare a facility’s current and projected costs and revenues for each service, and compare costs and revenues among several facilities within the same organization.
	The M&L Program also offers access to a global network of health professionals who share management tools, publications, information, and advice through MSH’s Electronic Resource Center.
	For a complete list of downloadable electronic publications and resources, click here