Welcome to the 11th module in the roadmap to building digital communities for social change: evaluate and learn.
Purpose
In any project you implement, you want to be able to assess whether you have achieved your objectives. To be able to do that, you need to carefully plan your project, monitor the progress, evaluate the results and learn from it. Although this module’s focus is evaluation, it is important to place it alongside other elements of the PMEL cycle.
If done correctly, monitoring, evaluation and learning should start at the planning and design phase of any initiative you aim to implement. When designing a programme or initiative, you need to make certain decisions regarding how you will monitor, capture, measure, evaluate and reflect on the performance and results. This module will introduce you to a PMEL cycle and approach that combines quantitative and qualitative data and analysis methods from both digital and non-digital sources.
Learning Goals
After completing this module, you will be able to:
- Define the different elements of the PMEL cycle
- Be aware of the PMEL framework for programmes at RNW Media
- Differentiate between different elements of an evaluation system used by RNW Media
- Recognise different data collection methods for evaluation
- Be aware of the OECD Development Assistance Committee (DAC) evaluation criteria
- Define an outcome description according to the outcome harvesting evaluation method frequently used by RNW Media
- Explore conducting an after-action review to identify and record lessons learned as a method of organisational learning
Learning Journal Reflection
- To what extent have you been experiencing elements of monitoring and evaluation in your recent work?
- How do you think monitoring, evaluating and sharing of learning can contribute to a successful programme/project/campaign?
- What of the intended learning outcomes (listed above) are most relevant to focus on for your upcoming programme activities/project/campaign?