The Provincial Performance Improvement Initiative (PPII) is an undertaking of the Government of Papua New Guinea (PNG) that seeks to improve public administration at the subnational level. The case study describes how PPII has benefited from "enthusiastic leadership" and a high level of PNG ownership. The initiative has also built on a systematic diagnosis of capacity issues, with PNG stakeholders playing a central role in both the diagnosis and in the subsequent preparation of capacity development plans for participating provinces. This initiative that is funded by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) has a projected time frame of 15-20 years with a design that recognizes the need to proceed at a pace consistent with the capabilities and absorptive capacity of participating provinces and districts.