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PIU Implementation Readiness Assessment
This is a real readiness tool for project implementation units (PIUs) of projects financed by the World Bank, ADB, AfDB and other development partners. It follows the arrangements financiers expect a PIU to have in place: staffing and manuals, financial management and disbursement, procurement, environmental and social commitments, monitoring and reporting, and the legal and governance steps for effectiveness. Answer 24 questions to see where your unit stands before effectiveness, first disbursement or a supervision mission, and which actions to take first. Risalat's guideline monitor re-checks the sources every month. Your financing agreement, the financier's current rules and your task team always take precedence.
- Assessment
- 12 min
- Free
- Sources checked October 2026
Who it is for
- PIU coordinators and project directors
- Financial management, procurement and E&S specialists in a PIU
- Ministry focal points preparing a new donor-financed project
- Teams getting ready for effectiveness, first disbursement or a supervision mission
- Development partners and consultants supporting new PIUs
What you get
- A readiness score for six implementation areas
- The gaps most likely to delay effectiveness or disbursement
- Practical next steps for each area, from basics to good practice
- An action list you can share with your team before a mission
- Links to the financiers' own policies and templates
How this tool works
- Built on
- World Bank IPF Policy and Directive (2023), Procurement Regulations 7th edition (September 2025), Environmental and Social Directive for IPF (January 2026) and ESF templates, World Bank disbursement handbook, ADB project administration manual structure.
- Scoring
- Each answer scores from 0 (not in place) to 4 (fully in place). An area's score is the points earned as a share of the maximum for the questions you answered; the overall score is the average of the areas. Bands: Not yet ready 0–39%, Partly ready 40–69%, Ready 70–100%.
- Limitations
- Results depend on the information you enter and are not verified by Risalat. This tool does not replace MAPS, PEFA, World Bank or other formal assessment methodologies, or an independent review.
- Your data
- What you type stays in your browser unless you save it to a free account. We receive your name, email and summary only when you open your results.
- Sources checked
- October 2026 (checked every month)
- Team or organisation
- With a free account you can invite colleagues from each department to answer the same questions. You get a consolidated dashboard: scores by area and department, where colleagues disagree, priority gaps and an action plan. Anonymous mode hides names and groups departments with fewer than 3 responses.
Need a verified result? Ask for an independent assessment by Risalat.
Programmes that build these skills
Upcoming programmes whose content matches the areas this tool measures. Your results show which fit your weakest areas.
Nothing here for your exact need? Ask for an in-house programme built around your gaps, or browse all programmes.
Questions
Who is this tool for?
Coordinators and specialists in project implementation units, and ministry teams preparing a new donor-financed project. It works for World Bank, ADB, AfDB and similar projects because their core implementation arrangements are alike.
When should we use it?
Before effectiveness or first disbursement, before a supervision or mid-term review mission, and when new staff join the PIU. Repeating it every six months shows progress.
Does it replace the financier's assessments?
No. Financiers carry out their own financial management, procurement and environmental and social assessments. This tool helps your team prepare and spot gaps early.
Can the whole PIU fill it in?
Yes. Each specialist can answer their own area, then compare results in a team meeting. With a free account you can save and return to it.
Based on
- World Bank Policy: Investment Project Financing World Bank, 2023.
- World Bank Directive: Investment Project Financing (OPS5.03-DIR.117) Effective 13 March 2023; covers effectiveness, implementation support, financial management and procurement.
- World Bank Procurement Regulations for IPF Borrowers, 7th edition September 2025.
- World Bank Environmental and Social Directive/Procedure for IPF Effective 15 January 2026.
- World Bank ESF resources: ESCP, SEP and labour management procedures templates ESCP template July 2024; SEP templates November 2023.
- Loan Handbook for World Bank Borrowers (disbursement) February 2017; designated accounts, disbursement methods and Client Connection.
- ADB project administration manual (example, November 2025) Shows the structure ADB uses: management arrangements, financial management, procurement, safeguards, monitoring and anticorruption.
Sources checked: October 2026. We check the official sources every month.
This is a self-assessment and guidance tool, not an assessment by the World Bank, ADB, AfDB or any other financier. Your financing agreement, the financier's current policies and the advice of your task team always take precedence.