Event

Application of Outcomes Bases Planning and Evaluation

This two-day course provides an opportunity for participants to develop a robust and rigorous method for outcomes based planning and evaluation using Theory of Change, an established outcomes based methodology of increasing application in the UK.  The programme is specifically designed as a practical session where participants use the method to plan their own services.

The method focuses on defining and measuring clearly what a service or project is seeking to achieve rather than simply the actions that will take place.  It is an explicit, transparent explanation using causal modelling and text to show the detail of how, when and why change will happen in a given context; and how practitioners will know when they have been successful.

It is used successfully as a detailed planning and methodology for both large and small organisations, projects, programmes and interventions across the private, public and voluntary sectors.  As part of the methodology requires the specific definition of performance, it also creates an evaluation framework for organisations against which to measure success.

The programme will support participants to define all the building blocks that are required to bring about a given long-term goal and construct a planning map known as a pathway of change.  The pathway will be developed to define each outcome and allocate a performance indicator to each outcome.

Finally participants will use the performance indicators identified in their pathway to build a simple performance management and evaluation framework which can be used to monitor progress and assess the impact of their work.

N.B. This course is a two-day stand alone option and it is not necessary to attend the one day Planning and Evaluation course first.

Course outcomes:

Programme participants will:

• Understand the building blocks of outcomes based planning and evaluation, using a Theory of Change methodology;

• Acquire and apply the skills to complete an outcomes pathway for planning;

• Acquire and apply the skills to develop the outcomes pathway and establish a performance management and evaluation framework in their workplace.

Technical Area (National Occupational Standard/Level)

The learning outcomes and content are targeted at National Qualification Framework Level 4/5