Overview
Outcome Mapping (OM) is an approach to project design and strategy that focuses on behavioural changes that a project aims to influence. This is in the form of a detailed vision and transformation in selected/target actors (boundary partners). This, in turn, helps guide the implementation of an appropriate range of outputs by a project in support of its goal or vision. Outcome Mapping introduces monitoring and evaluation considerations at the planning stage of a project. It provides a set of tools to design and gather information on the behavioural change (outcomes) and focuses on how that change happens. OM can be used as a standalone or in combination with others methodologies, such as Logframe Analysis or Most Significant Change (MSC).
Right Track Africa has a special interest in outcome-oriented planning and monitoring and especially the application of outcome mapping. From years of providing services to numerous clients, RTA has developed its capacity in learning how use a wide variety of methods and processes for the same depending on the sector and client needs. Julius has been a long-time Steward of the Outcome Mapping Learning Community (OMLC). He continues to provide these services and provide experience-based lessons
Outcome mapping for TechnoServe’s AINFP (Nov 2019 to Jan 2020)
Since March 2018, TechnoServe – Kenya, in alliance with Partners in Food Solutions (PFS), has been implementing a 5-year Alliance for Inclusive and Nutritious Food Processing project in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia and Zambia (AINFP, hereafter also referred to as the Alliance). The goal of the project, funded by USAID Bureau of Food Security, was to create a competitive food-processing sector that generates inclusive economic growth. The Alliance project is designed to transfer technology and know-how to food processors (at least 30% female-owned/led) in the target countries.
RTA (Julius Nyangaga, Charles Nduhiu, Grace Njoroge) facilitated an outcome mapping and outcome training for TechnoServe in 2019. The training was attended by participants, majority drawn from the AINFP and a few from other Technoserve Market System Facilitation (MSF) projects namely; SAPFF, Yield Wise and Coffee Program. The participants were also introduced to outcome mapping (OM), with an explanation of the difference between the two project management processes, and why OM is best suited for planning and monitoring, while OH is best suited for evaluation.
Outcome mapping for ADRA and Salvation Army (Oct 2019 – Feb 2020)
RTA (Julius Nyangaga, Grace Njoroge)) conducted OM training workshops in Kenya, Ghana and Malawi for the Salvation Army Sweden (TSA-SWE) and ADRA Sweden (ADRA-SWE) projects in October and November of 2019. The Swedish Mission Council (SMC) funds the two organizations. The organizations’ interest was to develop their staff capacity for a “clear vision of the human, social and environmental betterment to which their different programs and projects contribute to”. One of the training was conducted in Blantyre, Malawi and the other in Nairobi, Kenya, in October and November 2019 respectively. A third training was held in February 2020 in Ghana. The Salvation Army is a Christian organization with articles of faith that emphasise God’s saving purposes. The organization mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination. Salvation Army works in more than 130 countries with some of the poorest communities to restore the economic, social, ecological and spiritual relationships. ADRA is the global humanitarian organization of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. The organization works through an international network to deliver relief and development assistance to communities, regardless of their ethnicity, political affiliation, or religious association. Their objective is to improve the quality of life of millions through social justice; support to children; disaster response; gender equity; economic growth; community health; water, sanitation and hygiene; hunger and nutrition; livelihoods and agriculture.
Outcome Mapping for the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF) projects (May to Sep, 2019)
Throughout 2019, RTA (Julius Nyangaga) conducted outcome-mapping trainings at various inception workshops for the Livestock Vaccine Innovation Fund (LVIF) – Gender program. The LVIF project is funded by IDRC and it is titled: “Hearing their voices: Action research to support women’s agency and empowerment in livestock vaccine distribution, delivery and use in Rwanda, Uganda and Kenya”. The OM workshops were attended by participants from the four project countries, led by a facilitator team from IDRC Canada and Kenya. The workshop objectives were; (1) To build a common understanding of what “Gender Inclusive Vaccine Distribution and Delivery Systems” means, and relate this knowledge to practical applications to strengthen each project; (2) To discuss and refine theories of change for women’s empowerment in the livestock value chain and, (3) To understand IDRC reporting processes and expectations. The workshop used a combination of presentations, plenary and group discussions