SPEAK: Strategic Planning, Evaluation and Knowledge

Networking

Right Here Workshop, LondonOctober 2009

Where did SPEAK Come From?

Need to understand relationship between inputs and outputs on an ongoing basisNeed ways of understanding results beyond numbersNeed to involve all stakeholders in the process

Annual reporting not taking into account individual circumstances, challengesEverything has to be countedSystems designed from top down and completed by one or very few people

Challenges for Local Organisations and

Projects

Limitations of Existing Evaluation Responses

How did It Come about?Community Development Programme in Ireland: Working with Programme and Projects to develop alternatives.Implementation of alternative approach in national evaluation.Development of Software to support this process.

Subsequent Applications in:Irish Programmes: Family Resource Centres, Irish Advocacy Network, Area-based Partnerships, Community Based Drugs Projects, Youth Outreach Projects, Irish Sports Council, Healthy Living Centres, Regional Support AgenciesIrish projects working with Gay and Lesbian community, ethnic minorities; adult learnersNow developing applications in Canada, Cambodia, Germany, Austria, Poland

Principles to Inform a Different Approach

1. You can’t ‘count’ development or learning2. Every project and environment is different

and changes constantly, but3. Common language enhances capacity 4. Impacts are also secondary and usually

longer term5. A relevance to planning requires capacity to

link inputs to outcomes6. Ownership leads to validity and reliability7. ‘External’ Evaluation should be about

validation if internal process is correct

SPEAK FrameworkSPEAK Framework

Area and Project Audit Area & Project Indicators

Operational Environment

What are Local or Community Needs?

What are Current Responses to These?

Project Environment

What is the Project Trying to Do?

How is it Doing This? With Whom?

Output Indicators

What has Project succeeded in doing?

With which Target Groups?

Impact Indicators

What is the effect on the broader area

or community, beyond target outputs?

Using Software

All Committee and WorkersAll Committee and Workers

Collective Staff MeetingCollective Staff MeetingIndividual Staff and VolunteersIndividual Staff and Volunteers

All Committee and WorkersAll Committee and Workers

Who Implements at Project Level?

Interactive Implementation at Project Level

Interactive Implementation at Project Level

Easy Access to Programme Results

Easy Access to Programme Results

Review&

Revision

Design and Development of SPEAK

DesignWorkshop

SpeakVersion

Installation

NationalDatabase

Projects

Programme and Project Networking

Training

Ongoing support and AssistanceReportsReportsReports