New Horizons in Outcome Monitoring

Presenter: Richard Caldwell, Senior Program Officer, Measurement, Learning and Evaluation, Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

This session focused on the outcome measurement strategies in light of the newly approved agricultural policy of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which is based largely on the development of improved technologies applicable for smallholder farmers in Africa and South Asia. The discussion centered around strategies for disseminating these technologies and the critical importance of monitoring key outcomes, such as sustained adoption and seed system support, in order to make appropriate adjustments to the strategy. Cost-effective and “light” M&E systems are being promoted to allow more timely and efficient capture of outcome data. The Foundation is looking into the options for outcome investments, in which the level of funding will be determined by the outcomes achieved instead of outputs delivered by a project. Awardees will get a premium for exceeding the outcome target while a penalty will be charged for failing to achieve the target.

 

The Way Forward: Participants made recommendations in the following areas:

Processes

When there is a high variability of shocks like in highly vulnerable communities such as pastoralist communities, it seems challenging to focus on outcomes. More discussion of monitoring outcomes in difficult environments is needed

Program Design

Outcome monitoring could be used to monitor adoption of various risk management strategies to determine which strategies are working and should be scaled up.

Outcome monitoring should be participatory through involving beneficiaries in defining and reporting on outcomes

Donor Policy and Practice

Donors should consider applying outcome investments at a pilot level in their programming

Capacity Strengthening and Tools

Other tools that can be used for outcome monitoring should be identified.