Outcomes are the way forward: Outcomes are the way forward Simon Davey, (Omega Alpha and preponderate.net) Diana Parkinson, M&E Consulting www.preponderate.net “Making it easier for you to do what you do.”


About Us: About Us Simon Davey Diana Parkinson Why we’re interested in this Our work with homelessness groups


About this session: About this session What do we mean by M&E and outcomes? What difference does M&E/outcomes make and where is the need? Where and how does ICT fit? How can we make a difference? How do we involve others? Next steps


What’s on your mind?: What’s on your mind? Time for a brain dump


What is M&E?: What is M&E? Monitoring and evaluation is the process of gathering data and making judgements based on that data. It enables organisations to assess and report on their progress and value. This simple checking becomes monitoring when information is collected routinely and systematically against a plan. Evaluation involves making judgements about the meaning and value of the monitoring data in order to enable organisations e.g. to be accountable or gain support.


What are outcomes?: What are outcomes? Outcomes are the effects of your activities; the changes, benefits or learning that occurs as a result of the work you carry out. They are changes over time: something that is noticeably different for a person or target group, after a week or six months. Take care not to confuse outcomes with outputs or user satisfaction feedback. EXERCISE: Where do M&E and outcomes impact your client work as Circuit Riders?


Why do we need M&E and what difference does it make? : Why do we need M&E and what difference does it make? BRAINSTORM (pairs work) – How is your clients M&E impacted by ICT, what do they need to do differently, and how could they be supported? Example M&E: Management information and reporting to funders Do your client groups even know what’s going on? How easy is it to generate reports? How can you successfully manage an organisation if it takes days or months to get accurate information? Is there a future in standard template reporting for groups of funders? Are current systems more trouble than they are worth?


The outcomes approach : The outcomes approach More than simply adding another piece of paperwork to your systems. A continuous cycle of enquiry and service improvement based on factual information about what is being achieved.


The outcomes learning cycle: The outcomes learning cycle To fully adopt this approach, your organisation must: Clarify outcomes Measure outcomes Analyse and draw learning Make changes


The return on investment goal – here comes the maths…: The return on investment goal – here comes the maths… Business analysis = A Outcomes healthcheck and developments = B Requirements analysis = C System procurement/development and implementation = D Cost savings through improvements in service (to users and internally) = E If E – A – B – C – D is positive, then it’s worth doing. What cost savings could better M&E/outcomes management do for your client?


Where and how does ICT fit? : Where and how does ICT fit? · Process involves gathering and assessing lots of information ·    Different people need access to this information and to be able to use it in different ways ·    Makes sense to keep information centralised ·    ICT can provide short-cuts for viewing/using data ·    Safer – information can be backed up – and more secure ·    Cheaper and easier – compare paper based systems


PAWS FOR THOUGHT: PAWS FOR THOUGHT Does this make it easier to engage senior management in ICT planning or developments?


Hopeless IT case study: Hopeless IT case study BRAINSTORM: What is the result? What are the problems for Hopeless IT? BRAINSTORM: So what do we need to do?


How can we make a difference? : How can we make a difference? Firstly, carry out a review of the organisation’s monitoring and evaluation system. (It’s dangerous to assume your clients fully understand the implications of their M&E and outcomes management.) Secondly, carry out a review of the ICT – the infamous ICT healthcheck!  Thirdly, consider the opportunities for improving M + E through using ICT (doing things better, doing better things) more effectively.


How would you improve M&E through ICT?: How would you improve M&E through ICT? You might like to consider: Streamlining processes Creating shared access computerising work processes IT-based casework management system training staff


PAWS FOR THOUGHT: PAWS FOR THOUGHT Is this the sort of thing that just might get a problematic Chief Exec to finally engage with ICT?


You will need to considerwhether to:: You will need to consider whether to: modify or extend the existing system, build a bespoke system, or buy an off-the-shelf system for M + E data management Would you use a web-based system? EXERCISE: What are the main advantages and disadvantages of the three options…


And finally…: And finally… write and implement an action plan for taking forward issues identified in these reviews bear in mind that some may be things that can be tackled immediately – like minor changes to system or procedure - whilst others may take months to carry out


So where do youwant to end up? : So where do you want to end up? It helps to have a vision of where you want this work to get the organisation…


Case study: Super Effective: Case study: Super Effective


How do we involve others? : How do we involve others? Think you can do this all yourself?


Well, maybe but…: Well, maybe but… Support of client organisation to identify what they do and their aims and objectives Outcomes healthcheck (someone with experience of M&E and the tools involved) Developing an effective outcomes strategy and M&E process ICT healthcheck Developing an ICT strategy and implementation plan Project management around system development, procurement, implementation etc. Change management support (you’re not only changing the ICT but the way they work) A willingness to see it through to the end


Is it time…: Is it time… …to bring together the M&E experts and the ICT gurus and rethink the role of ICT in M&E?   PAWS FOR THOUGHT: ·        How can you share experiences/processes/systems between groups? ·        What are you trying to do and why? ·        Is this an ‘in’ for raising the profile of ICT in one of your client organisations? ·        How will this raise morale and what are the time/resource/cost considerations? ·        Are you ready to handle the change management issues?


Where do we go from here?: Where do we go from here? So does M&E or outcomes interest you and/or apply to your clients?   EXERCISE: Where could M&E/outcomes benefit your existing clients?   What would you like to do next?


Building expertise and experience on…: Building expertise and experience on… How we do this Who can do this What tools are available What systems are available How much it costs How long it takes What difference it makes How we get clients interested


Some ideas…: Some ideas… Training for front line groups (a conference planned for later this year) Training for circuit riders and suppliers/providers (conference in preparation) Directory of experts – where to go for help (linked to Hub suppliers directory) Online tools, guides, support


We’re up for it, are you?: We’re up for it, are you? General feedback If you’re really interested in this, contact us at simon@preponderate.net or call 020 8892 7085 or 07958 292990 Outcomes ARE the way forward!


Acknowledgements: Acknowledgements London Housing Foundation Homelessoutcomes.org.uk


Thank you…: Thank you… Simon Davey Preponderate.network simon@preponderate.net 07958 292990 or 020 8892 7085 www.preponderate.net   Diana Parkinson diana.parkinson1@virgin.net www.preponderate.net/outcomes