Outcome Mapping: Monitoring and Evaluation Tool

Mini Symposium on Outcome and Impact Assessment, R4D Planning week.

Emily Ouma.

24 November 2010.

Linear-based cause and effect frameworks

1.Difficulty in attributing development impacts to the outputs provided by individual projects – new modalities of cooperation.

2.Principle of linear causality seen as too rigid and unrealistic as a basis for planning and management

also depends on endogenous socio-cultural, economic, political, and environmental factors of the project.

Origins of Outcome Mapping

• 1990’s: IDRC had a need to demonstrate results.

• 1998: Discovered Outcome Engineering – used to plan and measure the results of drug rehabilitation.

• 2000: publication of the OM manual in English

• Global training & using OM globally.

• 2006: www.outcomemapping.ca

Outcome Mapping

A method for planning and assessing the social effects and internal performance of projects, programs, and organizations.

Looks at the bigger picture“A project should see itself as a part of an interconnected web of actors, factors and relationships” (Sarah Earl, 2008 IDRC)

Outcome Mapping

• Focus is on a particular category of results:– Changes in behaviors of people, groups and

organizations with whom a project/program works directly. Referred to as “Outcomes”.

– Development projects/programs can claim contributions to achievement of outcomes rather than attribution of development impacts.

Underlying principles of Outcome Mapping

Contribution rather than attribution.

Focuses on the logical links between interventions and behavioural change.

Changes are complex and are not linear, – not based on a cause–effect framework, it

recognizes that multiple, nonlinear events lead to change.

Underlying principles of Outcome Mapping

Development is done by and for the people.A project can:

– influence achievement of outcomes but – cannot control them as the ultimate

responsibility rests with people affected

Outcome Mapping Terminologies• Boundary partners

– The individuals, groups, and organizations with whom a project interacts directly to effect change and with whom the project can anticipate some opportunities for influence.

• Outcome challenge

– Describes how behaviors, relationships, activities, actions of an individual, group, or institution will change if the project is successful.

Love to see

Like to see

Expect to see

• Progress markers- A gradual set of milestones describing a progression of changed behavior in a project partner.

Boundary partners

PROGRAM

Boundary partner

THE REAL WORLD

Relative Influence along the Results Chain

Behavioural Changes (focus of OM)

Endogenous actors

Project/program

Low

High

(Community ownership and capacity increases)

(Project ownership declines)

Inputs Activities Outputs Outcomes Impacts

Outcome Mapping Framework

How do we know we are on-track?

What do we want to learn?

What are we trying to accomplish and how?

Project(performance journal)

Boundary Partners

(outcomes journal)

Spheres of M&E with Outcome Mapping

Relevance and viability

(of the project)Internal practices in order to

remain effective

Implementation (interventions by the project)

Outcomes (behaviour changes in the partners)

Strategies(strategy journal)

Primary Uses of Outcome Mapping

PlanningArticulate goals & define activities

MonitoringTrack project performance & partners’ progress

EvaluationDesign & conduct a use-oriented evaluation

Methodologically, what does Outcome Mapping bring in?

Focus on measurable outcomes.- Clear formulation of responsibilities, roles and measurable

milestones. - Each boundary partner develops a set of activities

(milestones) that allow for RBM.

Focus on learning and participation.- Iterative and participatory planning for learning based

management.- Information management involving all stakeholders.

Expanding accountabilities.

Using OM for M&E can help in managing multiple accountabilities (up, down, internal) by:

– being able to document & communicate outcomes.– engagement in social learning with boundary partners,

thereby anhancing ownership.

Methodologically, what does Outcome Mapping bring in?

Drawbacks of Outcome Mapping

• “Changes in behavior” (though fundamental to sustainable development) cannot be an objective or an end in itself.– Behavior changes should induce higher level

improvements in situations at a higher level.

• It requires that project structures and activities constantly adapt to changing context (“fluidy”).

Towards a synthesis of LFA, and OM frameworks? (Roduner et al., 2008)

Accountability and Learning: A Balancing Act

Thank You