Outcome mapping

Main source: www.outcomemapping.ca OM is variously defined as a tool, a methodology, a way, or an approach to project planning, monitoring and evaluation. It may not be useful for Impact Assessment because it focuses more on immediate social changes the project wishes to initiate or establish; changes which are meant to influence the eventual realization of desired impacts. So what is unique?: Once a project's intentions are explained (in form of vision and mission) the approach focuses on expected changes in the behaviour or social structures of individuals, groups, institutions or organizations (boundary partners) it can influence to achieve the intention. OM then provides a space for the project to develop a wide range of strategies to effect these changes. Application of the strategies and progression of changes then becomes the foundation for achieving the desired intention, while learning what works and what does not and making any necessary alterations. This is the crucial monitoring and evaluation part of the approach. What advantages are there? - First, outcome mapping largely acknowledges that a project can only be able to influence what may be seen as short and immediate term changes in partners within its sphere of (time and resources) influence - changes that should ultimately lead to long term intended impacts. These changes enable the extraction (and demonstration) of definite outcomes immediately they start to unfold. - Secondly, outcome mapping provides a space for identifying limitations and constraints, giving a strong element of continual learning and change by implementers so that meaningful progress is made. - Thirdly, outcome mapping is available in bits or as a whole for supplementing or even complementing any other P, M & E tool or process that a project wishes to employ to make and share progress. (Julius Nyangaga, ILRI, Nairobi.)