I wholeheartedly agree with the key statement and goals of this post, thank you for writing this up!
One thing I think could be really useful to see (perhaps for this post, or perhaps this is coming in a future post?) would be even just a simple sample M&E system with a Theory of Change, a Framework, and Evaluation questions for a particular project. It could make it easier to understand at a glance what the type of thing is that it would be great for a project or org to have and a sample template could easily be copied and adapted by readers in 80⁄20 fashion.
Yup! Basically structuring all of our M&E work around it. So far have mostly used it to help with our ToC and a recent needs assessment of our subgroup organisers. Lynn from EA UK showed me it, so all credit to her :)
I scrolled the comments to write exactly the same comment as Judith :) Basically wanted to ask authors to take e.g. plant-based campaign (e.g. replacing meat meals with vegan meals in canteens or something more difficult even) and show how one can go about it. So sort of step-by-step M&E guide. That would be super valuable I think.
I think a good way to approach how to build out a good M&E culture in the community will be a guide with a checklist augmented by case studies of how other orgs/project teams implemented M&E at different stages. I have some confidence most will be happy to pick this up and reach out for specific advice. I also particularly encourage that all our EA project leads / orgs “self-require” some baseline level of an M&E system before asking donors for funds so we can be more accountable for our own requests for grants, etc.
Happy to collaborate on the resource building part of this.
Yes totally agree and we have been talking about putting together another post about how this might be applied in practice so great to hear you are interested.
I wholeheartedly agree with the key statement and goals of this post, thank you for writing this up!
One thing I think could be really useful to see (perhaps for this post, or perhaps this is coming in a future post?) would be even just a simple sample M&E system with a Theory of Change, a Framework, and Evaluation questions for a particular project. It could make it easier to understand at a glance what the type of thing is that it would be great for a project or org to have and a sample template could easily be copied and adapted by readers in 80⁄20 fashion.
I’m looking forward to the next post(s?).
I’ve found this resource from IDinsight suuuuper helpful, and I think it’s approximately what you’re looking for?
Wow, that looks great!
Are you using it for EA Netherlands?
Yup! Basically structuring all of our M&E work around it. So far have mostly used it to help with our ToC and a recent needs assessment of our subgroup organisers. Lynn from EA UK showed me it, so all credit to her :)
I scrolled the comments to write exactly the same comment as Judith :) Basically wanted to ask authors to take e.g. plant-based campaign (e.g. replacing meat meals with vegan meals in canteens or something more difficult even) and show how one can go about it. So sort of step-by-step M&E guide. That would be super valuable I think.
I am happy that this exists.
I think a good way to approach how to build out a good M&E culture in the community will be a guide with a checklist augmented by case studies of how other orgs/project teams implemented M&E at different stages. I have some confidence most will be happy to pick this up and reach out for specific advice. I also particularly encourage that all our EA project leads / orgs “self-require” some baseline level of an M&E system before asking donors for funds so we can be more accountable for our own requests for grants, etc.
Happy to collaborate on the resource building part of this.
Yes totally agree and we have been talking about putting together another post about how this might be applied in practice so great to hear you are interested.