HIV Strategy Documents

The Results Cycle guides the formulation of a strategy that is informed by evidence and focused on results. It also guides the preparation of the strategy document, the basis for operational plans for implementing and monitoring the national response. The strategy document needs to present the information related to all phases of the Results Cycle in a specific and concise manner. The way information is presented to decision-makers and implementers affects its use, and there is little point in developing a strategy unless it is used.

• Main sections of a strategy document
• Indications that a strategy document has a results focus
• Quality enhancement

Main Sections of a Strategy Document
 
The main sections of a results-based Strategy Document would include:

• Situation analysis: A discussion of the characteristics and drivers of the epidemic, trends and how specific groups are affected. It would also include an overview of the national response to the epidemic, achievements and missed opportunities. This section is based on all possible available data. This discussion needs to inform the selection of outcomes and the targeting of programs and interventions.
• A results framework with outcomes, indicators, baselines and performance targets that are based on an understanding of the drivers, patterns and trends of the epidemic and evidence of programmatic achievements. 
• Description of priority programs and major interventions, including critical system strengthening activities.
• Detailed but succinct information on how the progress and achievements of the national response at the national and sub national levels will be monitored and evaluated.
• Data: Clear information on data flows, including surveillance and community data, and on data information systems. Some strategies also indicate the information system used to manage routine data and track resources. 
• Research agenda: Specifics about the surveys, studies and research – including impact evaluations, annual program reviews and independent evaluations – to be conducted during the strategy period; and how capacity gaps will be addressed.
• Description of how results will be reported and disseminated.
• The costing of the strategy and information on available budgets with sources, if available.

Experience in Madagascar, Mozambique, Tanzania and Uganda shows that results reporting and utilization is facilitated by:

• Strategies and programs that are measured against results-based objectives and outcomes
• Well-defined indicators
• Reliable data
• Context-appropriate monitoring systems, and
• Analytical capacity to turn routine data and surveillance and research data into evidence to support decisions, including showing costs and benefits (White, Rodriguez-Garca and Balasundaran, 2005, pp. 33-43).

Given this experience, it is important that the strategy document be a tool that guides reporting and the utilization of data on outcomes to facilitate and encourage managing for results. The strategy document should be reviewed against the benchmarks identified at the beginning; especially that the strategy is (i) based on evidence, and (ii) focused on results.

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Indications that a Strategy Document has a Results Focus

Possible indicators that an HIV Strategy meets the benchmarks mentioned above include:

• The extent to which the strategy document describes the current situation of the epidemic and the effects of the national response.
• The extent to which the strategy document describes expected outcomes for each programmatic objective.
• The extent to which there is a results chain, linking activities and outputs to a sequence of logical outcomes.
• The extent to which evidence on the epidemic, its drivers and at-risk-populations is carried through and informs programming, targeting and prioritization.
• The extent to which programs and priority interventions are logically linked to the evidence and to key outcomes, as per the results chain.
• The extent to which each outcome has at least one indicator, and each indicator shows a baseline value and performance target(s).
• The extent to which the strategy document identifies evaluation activities and studies too be conducted.
• The extent to which the strategy document describes how surveillance and routine data collection, management, reporting and utilization will be done.

Other relevant indicators include:

• The extent to which the strategy document recognizes the need for partnering with the private sector, NGOs, civil society, international partners and other stakeholders. 
• The extent to which the strategy document describes spending, costing and/or includes a budget. 

Once the strategy document is completed, it is likely to undergo final technical validation by government agencies in charge of implementing specific HIV/AIDS activities and other key players, especially the Ministry of Finance. The strategy would be utilized by the government for mobilizing resources from donors who support the national HIV/AIDS program. At the end of this process the Government approves and then publishes and disseminates the national strategy.  

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Quality Enhancement

Once the strategy document is completed, many countries choose to check the quality of the Strategy Document before finalizing it. This may entail:

• Conducting a self-evaluation of the strategy  (using the SAT - go here for more information about this type of assessment)
• Submitting the strategy to independent peer review (See www.worldbank.org/asap for a peer review mechanism)

Regardless of the action(s) taken, the strategy planning team will want to make sure the final document is reviewed by an editor before it goes to the printers; and that the final printed copy is delivered to the appropriate national authorities on time for formal dissemination.

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