MOST SIGNIFICANT CHANGE Technique for Project Evaluation

What is the Most Significant Change (MSC)Technique? A participatory monitoring and evaluation methodology that involves: Telling of significant change stories to peers Collecting and validating significant change stories in communities Developing of domains of change Selecting the MSC stories—done by staff or other stakeholders Capturing discussion about selection of the MSC stories Categorizing and analyzing MSC stories by domains and analysis of meaning Sharing stories with communities and selection of MSC stories by communities Capturing discussion with communities These steps are new to the LGI Evaluation

What Can We Learn from an MSC Process? Understanding of significant changes in women’s and men’s lives Understanding of social and economic impacts on individuals, producer and self-help groups, and on communities Identification of key domains and areas of focus for the evaluation

Formulate a Question About Change Timebound: Must define the reporting period—“from when to when?” Domains: Decide the area, topic, or arena you want to focus on—“what?” Not too specific to allow for different interpretations Not so vague to leave doubt that it will be unclear what the change refers to or what might have brought it about Use language to elicit people’s opinions and perspectives— “What do you think?” Change Location—“Where?” ?

Initial vs. Revised MSC Question What is the most significant change experienced by men and women in the communities of ___________ as a result of the LGI project? Write a real-life story that illustrates the change. In the last three years, what do you think is the most significant change in the roles of women compared to men as a result of LGI (Gender in Agriculture) Project? Specific Timebound Comparative Opinion-Oriented

Steps in the Story Telling Process In response to an open-ended question about change: Think of a stories about an individual, group, or institution that illustrates the change Share stories in a small group Identify the different domains that the stories are likely to illustrate (can be done before or after story collection)

Steps in the Story Telling Process Sort the stories by domain and decide how the group will select stories—criteria and process Select the stories that the small group believes best illustrate the most significant change Small groups share their MSC stories in the plenary Repeat steps 4 and 5 in the plenary Reflect on the stories, the selection criteria, and process

Steps in the Story Telling Process Identify common themes and how frequently they occur. Reflect on the story chosen by the group as indicative or representative of the MSC Assess: How many stories about a particular type of change? What the stories tell you about the project? Who the stories are about? Whose stories were selected? Which stories were not selected and why? Are the stories about negative or positive changes? How do these changes compare to the project objectives?

QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS ? QUESTIONS AND COMMENTS

This presentation is made possible by a grant from The Technical and Operational Performance Support (TOPS) Program. The TOPS Small Grants Program Improvement Award (PIA) is made possible by the generous support and contribution of the American people through the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). The contents of the materials produced through the PIAs do not necessarily reflect the views of TOPS, USAID, or the U.S. Government.

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