Balancing accountability and learning - An action research program

Several ‘innovative’ qualitative and participative PM&E methods and frameworks have been introduced over time. They address the need to gain insight in non linear social change processes. Simultaneously, they are part of an effort to shift the focus of PM&E from serving the needs of accountability to donors to the need to learn more consciously about what works and what doesn’t. Some examples are: Outcome Mapping, Most Significant Change, Learning Histories and Appreciative Inquiry. Each of these methods are different in focus and place in the PM&E cycle.

Few organisations have been able to integrate a mix of quantitative and qualitative methods in their PM&E system in such a way that useful learning takes place and is translated into improved practice. Globally, practitioners continue to struggle with ‘heavy’ PM&E systems that are time consuming and geared toward upward accountability, instead of horizontal and downward accountability. Allocated time for reflection and learning are scarce.

In a series of PSO events around qualitative methods for PM&E, the value and potential pitfalls of Outcome Mapping and Most Significant change have been discussed. Several organisations have shown commitment to experiment with these and other qualitative methods with their partners in the South. They will do this complementary to other PM&E methods they and their partners are already using.  

Purpose
This programme aims at creating space for member organisations and their partners to experiment with qualitative and participative PM&E methods and frameworks alongside their existing PM&E system. The programme aims at a diverse group of organisations that are committed to pilot with alternative PM&E methods, to address a felt need to learn about non linear processes of change. It is expected that the action research will facilitate a learning process that will lead to improved practice of member organisations and their partners.

At the same time, the programme facilitates a collective action learning process that will lead to insights on how qualitative methods can help to better balance accountability and learning. And what is further needed to create space and enabling conditions for ‘conscious learning’ leading to improved practice to take place.

Possible Output

• Documented cases of participating member organisations and partners on the use of qualitative and participative methods for PM&E of capacity development interventions;
• Article with insights and lessons learned in renowned publication (e.g. Capacity.org, The Broker);
• Exchange and reflection activities for the participating organisations (the results will feed into the synthesis report and presentation);
• Synthesis presentation event;
• Web based WorkNet to facilitate exchange and learning between participating organisations in North and South.