RCTs are rarely feasible in international development contexts. And a PM would not be (should not be) involved in their design. This question is an excellent indicator of SI's key problems- their midlevel staff are overpaid and underexperienced. Only a matter of time before USAID and other clients figure out that aside from some senior staff and some consultants, SI is hollow, especially in the middle ranks. If management were smart they would put some real effort in to training mid and Jr staff, stop promoting them so quickly and provide some serious oversight with their interactions with clients and quality of work. Bunch of spoiled know-nothings that seem to run the circus.