|
Outcome Mapping
An M&E tool which focuses upon outcomes as behavioural changes. |
 |
Background |
Outcome Mapping (OM) is a tool for planning, monitoring and evaluating development initiatives, created by the International Development Research Centre.
OM recognises that important outcomes of an initiative are not just the achievement of material goals (e.g. reduced soil erosion) but also the complex and progressive changes in the behaviour of the actors involved, on whom such material changes depend. OM moves away from assessing impact, and aims to identify and analyse the changes taking place in groups and individuals involved in the development initiative, what worked and what didn’t, and how an initiative could continually improve. By using Outcome Mapping, a program is not claiming the achievement of development impacts; rather, the focus is on its contributions to outcomes.
Outcomes are defined as changes in the behaviour, relationships, activities, or actions of the people, groups, and organisations with whom a programme works directly. These outcomes can be logically linked to a programme's activities, although they are not necessarily directly caused by them. ‘Boundary partners’ are those individuals, groups, and organisations with whom the programme interacts directly and with whom the programme anticipates opportunities for influence.
OM comprises three stages – intentional design, outcome and performance monitoring, and evaluation planning. The initial stage, intentional design, assists a programme to agree upon the macro level changes it wishes to achieve and the strategies it will follow. The second stage, outcome and performance mapping, provides a framework for the ongoing monitoring of the programme's actions and the boundary partners' progress toward the achievement of outcomes. The third stage, evaluation planning, helps the programme identify evaluation priorities and develop an evaluation plan.
|
Guide to Tools |
 |
Earl, S., Carden F., and Smutylo, T., (2001) Outcome Mapping; Building Learning and Reflection into
Development Programs, International Development Research Centre (IDRC),
see: www.idrc.ca/en/ev-9330-201-1-DO_TOPIC.html |
|
Ambrose, K., (2006) Enhancing Learning in the M&E Process: Outcome Mapping in Ecuador, International Development Research Centre.
http://www.capacity.org/en/journal/practice_reports
/enhancing_learning_in_the_m_e_process |
|
Outcome Mapping Learning Community Website
http://www.outcomemapping.ca/ |
|
