Research that matters: outcome mapping for linking knowledge to poverty-reduction actions

Abstract

An ‘Outcome Mapping’ approach was applied retrospectively to five diverse, highly collaborative research projects aimed at poverty reduction. Designed to help plan for, clarify, and document intended and actual changes in behaviour, actions, and relationships of groups and organisations that directly influence a project's intended beneficiaries, Outcome Mapping enabled us to identify and describe the strategies and actions that played important roles in the innovations achieved. Successful strategies observed included the use of champions, jointly producing high-profile outputs that enhanced the status of local partners, multiple communication strategies, targeting ongoing policy processes, and strong emphases on and investment in capacity building.

Des recherches qui importent : cartographie des résultats pour relier les connaissances aux actions de réduction de la pauvreté

Une approche fondée sur la « cartographie des résultats » a été appliquée rétrospectivement à cinq projets de recherche très collaboratifs et divers visant à réduire la pauvreté. Conçue pour faciliter la planification, la clarification et la documentation des changements prévus et réels sur les plans du comportement, des actions et des relations des groupes et des organisations qui influent directement sur les bénéficiaires prévus d'un projet, la cartographie des résultats nous a permis d'identifier et de décrire les stratégies et les actions qui ont joué des rôles importants dans les innovations obtenues. Parmi les stratégies efficaces observées on peut citer l'utilisation de champions, la réalisation conjointe de produits très médiatisés qui ont renforcé la position des partenaires locaux, des stratégies de communication multiples, le ciblage des processus d'orientation en cours et l'accent mis sur le renforcement des capacités et l'investissement dans ce dernier.

Pesquisa que interessa: mapeamento de resultado para ligar conhecimento com ações para redução da pobreza

Uma abordagem de ‘Mapeamento de Resultado’ foi aplicada retrospectivamente em cinco projetos de pesquisa diversificados e altamente colaborativos destinados à redução da pobreza. Destinado a ajudar a planejar, esclarecer e documentar mudanças pretendidas e mudanças reais de comportamento, de ações e de relacionamentos de grupos e organizações que influenciam diretamente os beneficiários pretendidos de um projeto, o Mapeamento de Resultado permitiu-nos identificar e descrever as estratégias e ações que desempenharam papéis importantes nas inovações alcançadas. Entre as estratégias bem-sucedidas que foram observadas estão o uso de defensores da estratégia, produzindo conjuntamente resultados de alto nível que melhoraram o status dos parceiros locais, múltiplas estratégias de comunicação, tendo como meta os processos de políticas em andamento e forte ênfase em capacitação.

Investigaciones de alcance: el mapeo de resultados que vincula conocimientos y acciones para abatir la pobreza

Se aplicó retroactivamente el método de ‘mapeo por resultados’ a cinco proyectos de investigación que buscaban abatir la pobreza con un alto grado de participación. El Mapeo por Resultados fue diseñado para apoyar la planeación, la depuración y la documentación de cambios intencionados o reales en el comportamiento, las acciones y las relaciones de grupos y organizaciones que afectan a los beneficiarios directos de un proyecto. El Mapeo también permitió la identificación y la descripción de las estrategias y acciones más importantes para lograr innovaciones. Entre las estrategias exitosas que se observaron están la participación de personas célebres, la elaboración conjunta de productos de alto perfil que elevan el prestigio de las contrapartes locales, y distintas estrategias de comunicación, las cuales se centran en lograr cambios en el proceso habitual de toma de decisiones políticas, haciendo énfasis en invertir en el fortalecimiento de capacidades.

Keywords:

• Environment
• Governance and public policy
• Methods
• Sub-Saharan Africa

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Julius Nyangaga

Julius Nyangaga (corresponding author) works with teams in planning, implementation, and monitoring to enhance effective achievement and measurement of objectives. He particularly assists with incorporation of outcome-mapping principles in programmes. He is trained in animal nutrition and animal production, and has experience of working in research (markets and innovation) and extension.

Terry Smutylo

Terry Smutylo is an independent evaluation consultant who specialises in methods that empower stakeholders, promote learning, and focus on outcomes. He led the teams that developed the internationally recognised evaluation methodologies, ‘Organizational Self-Assessment’ and ‘Outcome Mapping’. He currently works with development organisations conducting evaluations, providing training, and facilitating organisational development. <[email protected]>

Dannie Romney

Dannie Romney is a livestock scientist whose recent work has focused on understanding how knowledge is generated, spread, and utilised, and approaches to increase the effectiveness of research and development activities. She has worked in Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and is now Global Director of CABI's Knowledge for Development theme. <[email protected]>

Patti Kristjanson

Patti Kristjanson is an agricultural economist whose expertise includes poverty analyses, impact assessment, agricultural-policy analysis and implementation, and agricultural-production and marketing-systems analysis. She has experience of leading and managing multidisciplinary teams from international and national agricultural research centres, in collaboration with universities, donors, and governments in African countries, Peru, India, and South East Asian countries. <[email protected]>