Fourth External Program and Management Review of ICRISAT, 1996

External program and management review of ICRISAT conducted between February and December 1996 by a panel chaired by Ronnie Coffman. The document contains an excerpt from the report of the CGIAR meeting in May 1997, a transmittal letter from the TAC Chairman and CGIAR Executive Secretary, TAC comments, the ICRISAT response, and a transmittal letter from the review panel chair.The panel found that major changes in recent past had introduced management complexity, and that further fundamental change was required. ICRISAT needed a clear operational mandate to concentrate its focus. The Board was criticized for failing to face financial reality, and help management develop clear long term institutional vision. It also interfered in management details. The matrix organizational structure had become too complex. Staff morale was low. Facing a likely continued shortfall of financial resources, ICRISAT should build on past accomplishments to establish complementary relationships with NARS and regional organizations, and recognize the different needs of Asian and African NARS. The panel recommended a Strategic Partnership Model for the future. The panel recommended that commodity improvement in India should evolve into strategic germplasm research effort providing intermediate products throughout SAT. Board be more diligent in its basic functions. More attention should be paid to the requirements of successful research management. Expressing concern about turnover among top managers, the panel said that the new leadership should nurture the institutional culture. It suggested an interim review after two years. The Group endorsed the panel recommendations and TAC's commentary.