Non-linear learning for projects

Originally presented in workshop on evaluation capacity building with Education Innovation For India by Clare Strawn, PhD and Stéphan Vincent-Lacrin, PhD of OECD

July 26-28, 2013Hosted by Sri Aurobindo SocietyPondicherry, India

“We don’t really like the word ‘evaluation’ rather we are more interested in creating dynamic feedback mechanisms”

- EIFI grantee

What is evaluative capacity?Evaluation capacity building involves the activities and processes that help create, strengthen, and sustain the learning of individuals and communities. It is a foundation of sustainable communities.• Increases capacity to monitor and adapt to

changing environment• Creates shared knowledge to guide decision

making and planning• Develops participation of staff, clients, and other

stakeholders in success of your endeavors

If the staff feels disconnected, they don’t see the whole picture. They don’t know where the program is going. Once they buy into it they say, ‘‘I will take leadership of this piece.’’

Organizations may partake in evaluation to reduce uncertainty and secure resources, including financial and political resources.

Evaluation capacity can also meet an internal demand to achieve community goals.

Cultivating – doing the work of the program

Harvesting the produce - data

Slicing and Dicing to make it useful

Cooking – interpreting to make meaning

Not the same as “cooking the books”

Presentations to different stakeholders

ImplementingCommunity of practice

Continuous learning process

• Leadership vision and commitment • Stakeholders – who should be at the table?• Focus – define questions, priorities, uses. What is

your theory of change? • Map activities and data flow. How will you know if

things are working and adapting?• Plan data collection and management integrated

into activities• Interpret findings collaboratively• Implement recommendations

“The commitment of organizational leadership was critical in transforming the role of evaluation from one of basic reporting and accountability to a true process of continuous learning”http://contentlibrary.theglobalfund.org/eLearning/me/01en/Index1.html

Leaders must “share responsibilities and find ways to integrate evaluation into organizational life”

Non-linear program models

Its only new because it has been missing for so long: Indigenous Evaluation Capacity Building. Anderson, Chase, Johnson III, Mekiana, McIntyre, Ruerup Kerr.American Journal of Evaluation 2012 33: 566

ExampleLogic model for workshop

Needs Activities Outputs Outcomes

• Reliable reporting on project impact

• Stories• Baseline

assessment• Report on state of

eval capacity• Experience

evaluating global projects

• Collectively defined needs

• Asset mapping• Critical thinking• Skill development& sharing• Collaboration• Project analysis• Tools

• Review and revision of program data and information plans.

• Adaptation of tools and skills for specific program needs.

• Leadership and confidence

• Transfer to project staff

• Accurate data reports

• Useful stories• Sustainable

systems and program infrastructure

• Network of peer to peer collaboration for program improvement

Sample logic model template

Thinking about Data• Data burden on participants• How will it be used informs what you

collect.• What “Unit of analysis” is needed to

answer your question?• Check for consistent comparisons• Cultural validity and construct validity• Unintended consequence

From The Community Tool Box http://ctb.ku.edu/en/tablecontents/sub_section_tools_1338.aspx