MEL in Capacity Strengthening

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Why is it crucial to provide evidence for the positive impact of capacity strengthening?

To avoid the need for any further investment.

To reduce competition in the aid sector.

To ensure the process is easy to measure.

To justify the allocation of limited resources. (correct)

Which of the following is NOT a key indicator of positive organizational change discussed in the text?

Investing time and money in capacity strengthening without being asked.

Spending core support on capacity strengthening.

Partners feeling empowered to say 'no' to funders' requests.

Partners having a strong sense of independence from funders. (correct)

According to the content, what is the primary risk of not measuring the impact of capacity strengthening efforts?

A reduction in the amount of funding allocated to other sectors.

An increased complexity in measuring changes within a cohort of different organisations.

Increased reliance on technical cooperation from aid donors.

The potential for resources to be used in less effective ways. (correct)

What is the author's main frustration with some MEL processes?

The findings of the evaluations are often not implemented. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text identify as one of the main difficulties in measuring training effects, according to Basil Cracknell?

The difficulty of attribution which has caused many donors to cut back funding. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What are the three common traps that grant makers may fall into when monitoring and evaluating capacity strengthening?

Doing nothing, setting up a faulty system, or setting up a system that is too burdensome. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's recommendation for MEL processes in relation to capacity strengthening?

Keep the processes simple, accepting limitations and avoiding an over-burdening approach. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why does the author stress the importance of funders acknowledging their own role in organizational change?

To foster a sense of partnership and acknowledge that funders are not separate from the process. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What does the text imply about the potential results of monitoring and evaluation of capacity strengthening?

They may be qualified, but they can still produce useful evidence and improvements. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does the author mean by the phrase “partners do not behave in a vacuum?”

Partners are influenced by a variety of factors, including their surrounding environment and funding sources. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a primary purpose for funders regarding a MEL system?

To demonstrate retrospective accountability and impact. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is emphasized about capacity strengthening in the context of monitoring and evaluation?

It can be approached with a blend of methodologies, time and patience. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a key element of the author's proposed approach to MEL of capacity strengthening?

Developing a rigorous and comprehensive data collection system. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What should guide the design of a Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) system for capacity strengthening?

The stakeholders' goals and capacity and that its implementation doesn't burden the partners. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What is the author's main point about the importance of acting on findings from MEL processes?

It fosters a culture of learning and continuous improvement within funding organizations. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it essential to keep MEL processes simple and not overly burdensome for partners?

It ensures that partners have adequate resources to focus on their core mission. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is the potential consequence of a MEL system primarily serving donor interests?

It may undermine partner ownership of both the MEL system and the capacity strengthening process. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What should be the primary focus of accountability in a capacity strengthening process?

Between the partner and the capacity strengthening provider. (A) Signup and view all the answers

What role does the consultant play in a capacity strengthening process?

To ensure the partner is participating fully and taking ownership. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Why should funders be willing to be secondary clients in a capacity strengthening process?

To build trust and give ownership to the partner. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a recommendation for developing a MEL process?

Aim to keep it realistic and simple so it is more likely to work well. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is mentioned as an inherent challenge in capacity strengthening?

It is always difficult to identify when an intervention has led to positive change. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a likely outcome when a MEL system is left open 'for everyone'?

It will primarily respond to the funder's needs. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Regarding sharing outcomes, what does the text suggest about partner behaviour?

Partners may be hesitant to share in case it affects grant funding. (B) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it difficult to establish direct attribution between capacity strengthening and organizational change?

Multiple external factors and internal dynamics influence organizational change. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the minimum requirement for assessing the quality of a capacity strengthening intervention?

Measuring the quality of the input. (C) Signup and view all the answers

What does 'plausible association' refer to in the context of capacity strengthening?

A likely but not definitive link between the intervention and organizational change. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a good way to measure the effectiveness of a capacity strengthening intervention?

Repeat business, or whether the partner is prepared to pay for such services again. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to keep the capacity strengthening system 'light touch'?

To make it less burdensome on the partner organization. (C) Signup and view all the answers

At what levels should capacity strengthening be assessed?

At the intervention itself, single organizations, and a portfolio of organizations. (A) Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is considered the easiest way to gather client feedback immediately after an intervention?

Distributing feedback forms immediately after the event. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is the ideal time for clients to assess their feedback on a capacity strengthening intervention to be most meaningful?

Weeks or months after the event, in the context of their daily work. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What factor is often overlooked when assessing organizational capacities?

The inter-relationships between capacities (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a potential disadvantage of relying solely on pre- and post-assessment scoring?

It may not reflect true capacity improvements. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which method is recommended as a more effective alternative to pre- and post-scoring?

Retrospective assessment processes (A) Signup and view all the answers

What might a lower ranking score in an assessment indicate?

Enhanced awareness of limitations (A) Signup and view all the answers

What kind of feedback should grant-makers seek from partners regarding capacity strengthening?

Feedback both in written and verbal forms (B) Signup and view all the answers

In assessing progress after capacity-strengthening activities, what two aspects should grant-makers look for?

Behavior changes in partner interactions and self-confidence (B) Signup and view all the answers

Which approach can complement quantitative scores effectively?

Qualitative activities like case studies (B) Signup and view all the answers

What quality should grant-makers observe in partners to assess their growth after receiving input?

Self-critical and vulnerable interactions (A) Signup and view all the answers

What indicator could be useful to measure capacity improvement in organisations?

% of organisations reporting improved capacity against priority areas (D) Signup and view all the answers

Which method is NOT mentioned as a means of assessing organisational impact?

Using standardized testing for employees (B) Signup and view all the answers

What is a challenge with quantifiable assessments of organisations according to grant-makers?

They ignore the specific contexts of each organisation. (D) Signup and view all the answers

Why is it important to assess changes at multiple levels within an organisation?

To understand how learning is implemented in context. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What does the term 'bean-ranking scoring exercises' refer to in the context of this assessment?

A technique to allow retrospective quantification of capacity changes. (C) Signup and view all the answers

How can co-creating a timeline of an organisation's history help in assessing change?

It provides insights into the extent of capacity strengthening contributions. (D) Signup and view all the answers

What is a common misconception about organisational assessment tools?

They always provide complete and clear data. (B) Signup and view all the answers

What should grant-makers avoid when assessing a portfolio of organisations?

Aggregate results without consideration of context. (C) Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Designing Appropriate Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) for Capacity Strengthening

Grant-makers can improve capacity strengthening strategies by sharing learning with grantees and refining strategies through systematic monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL).
Key considerations for MEL:
- Importance of MEL
- Appropriateness for various stakeholders
- Realistic expectations for outcomes
- Effective measurement methods, timelines, and approaches

Why MEL is Important

Capacity strengthening should be supported by evidence, not just assumed to be worthwhile.
Compelling cases for capacity strengthening are crucial, especially in competitive aid sectors with dwindling resources.
Attributing training effects to specific causes is difficult, and donor interest in technical cooperation is often decreased as a result.

Clarifying Who MEL Benefits and Why

Stakeholders have varied expectations of MEL systems.
- Funders may prioritize retrospective accountability (checking how money was spent).
- Partners may desire forward-looking improvements and capacity development.
Important to identify and address the needs of all stakeholders early in the process.
Capacity strengthening programs should prioritize partner ownership of the MEL system to avoid unnecessary burdens and maintain partner accountability.

Keeping Expectations Realistic

Complex capacity strengthening programs encompass numerous contributing factors.
- Individual organizations.
- Multiple perspectives.
Numerous common pitfalls that grant-makers may fall into:
- Doing nothing due to challenges and costs
- Developing a complicated or unimplementable system
- Burdening partner organizations

Measuring Impact

Essential to assess the quality of the input (e.g., training program elements).
- Evaluating provider perspectives to learn from experiences.
- Evaluating learner perspectives through feedback to gauge program effectiveness and determine improvement areas.
Assessing impact on organizational level requires careful consideration of external influences and potential inconsistencies.
- Considering organizational levels (immediate, sustained, improved quality of delivery, and changes in people's lives)
Methodologies for impact assessment:
- Document and report reviews
- Semi-structured interviews (narrative stories of improvement)
- Workshops with key personnel
- Retrospective timelines and quantifying capacity impacts
Portfolio evaluation, including quantifiable pre-post data, is often challenging because of complexities and inconsistencies.
Qualitative data sources are crucial to support quantitative data (e.g. case studies).

Practical Ways Forward

Gain partner feedback through various means (written and verbal).
Engage in regular follow-up to track progress.
Assess whether capacity strengthening efforts are making a tangible effect.
Encourage partner capacity development and self-assurance.
Monitor partners' engagement in capacity strengthening activities.
Partners taking ownership of capacity development through resources and commitment.
Acknowledge limitations of MEL processes to avoid overpromising and overwhelming partners.

Critical Considerations

MEL systems should not detract from core program objectives.
Efforts should focus on providing useful insights without excessive resources or time commitment.
Carefully consider how the funds are spent and where improvement is needed.

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Description

This quiz explores the critical aspects of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) and its significance in capacity strengthening for grant-makers and stakeholders. Learn about the key considerations and methods for effective MEL, and understand the varied expectations from different stakeholders in the process.