iREACH has uniquely combined two monitoring and evaluation frameworks, taking the strengths of each to produce a set of tools that is participatory in implementation, flexible with regard to use, and generates and knowledge by iREACH at each stage in its development.
Outcome Mapping was developed by IDRC as a framework that allows research and development projects to map changes in behaviour, relationships, actions and activities in the people, groups and organisations it works with. At a workshop in September 25th to 28th 2006, the iREACH Team and advisers, led by Fred Carden of IDRCs evaluation unit, used OM to define iREACH vision, mission, boundary and strategic partners and progress markers. It was also agreed to explore integrating OM with SPEAK to produce a consolidated set of tools.
SPEAK stands for Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Knowledge system, and was developed by NEXUS Research Cooperative in Ireland and applied across empowerment projects and programmes in Ireland and Europe. Its strengths are:
in the comprehensive way that it maps project resources against goals and targets, and can track their use, all based on targets and information provided by staff and volunteers.
as a participative and transparent means to monitor and evaluate progress in relation to agreed goals and objectives, tracked year by year.
as a participative and transparent means to monitor and evaluate progress in relation to agreed goals and objectives, tracked year by year.
as a means to systematically document on all major activities and trends, synthesizing them into regular reports.
Its unique feature is an integrated software package, used by all project staff on a regular basis, adapted to the iREACH environment. In addition to the usual adaptation, SPEAK was specifically modified to include the Outcome Mapping categories and approach.
A second workshop in February 4th to 8th 2007 to present the OM/SPEAK, and provide initial training in its use. It was facilitated by Paul Butler from NEXUS. A follow-up Workshop was implemented in June 2007, and the system is now in place.
