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Measuring Results in PSD

 

Little information is available on results achieved. Even self-reported results are rare, and may not be credible. There are many reasons for this, which are explored in a Reader on the subject. Briefly, however, recent trends in PSD have made results measurement more tricky. Market-based approaches tend to benefit a self-selecting sample; isolation and randomisation are major challenges, which few have either the money or the expertise to address reliably. Every situation is different, so there is little hope of 'proving' that an approach always (or never) works.

As a result, the theme of results measurement seems to have been, in practice, rather 'stuck'. On the one hand are those who focus on achieving results in very complex environments, and who see problems more than solutions in trying to measure those results. On the other hand are those who say 'if you cannot measure the results of your work, maybe they just aren't there'. Existing methodologies have not (yet) delivered solutions to this conundrum, despite an emphasis on traditional log-frames, baselines and some statistical studies.

Thankfully, the evaluation community is moving away from a reliance on purely statistical techniques and macro-level correlations, and towards mixed methods, based on the results chain or logic of the programme. Indeed, articulating and validating the logic of the programme is a very powerful (if under-used) tool. The log-frame format was designed in a simpler age to encourage exactly this clarity; expanding this format to capture the sequencing and parallel activities now being implemented in many programmes can yield great benefits - in terms both of effectiveness and measurement.

Note that there are many excellent websites on measuring results across all development fields - see for example Monitoring and Evaluation News and 3IE.

Contents

This page contains useful information and resources on measuring results under the following groupings:

Suggestions for additions to this page are welcome at any time. Click here to contact the DCED Secretariat.

The DCED Standard for results measurement

The DCED's own Standard for results measurement provides an innovative yet practical framework, whereby programmes can measure their own results according to good practice. Some training providers offer courses featuring the Standard.

Click here for the page dedicated to the DCED Standard for results measurement, which includes supporting documentation and case studies of programmes applying the Standard. To learn more about the objectives and activities of the Results Measurement Steering Group, click here.

General Agency Policies and Methodologies for results measurement

An overview of official member agency methodologies in results measurement, monitoring and evaluation can be found below.

The Foundation Center has compiled a list of tools and resources used by foundations and philanthropic organisations for assessing social impact. The list, including brief summaries of the tools and resources, is available here.

Results Measurement methodologieS For Private Sector Development

They are categorised by cross-cutting methodologies and methodologies relating to value chain development, technical and vocational training, and business environment reform in particular. Some of them are very broad, implicitly leaving interpretation to the individual project; others are more specific. In particular, some (e.g. GTZ, IFAD, USAID) are based on the articulation of results chains, and are therefore similar in approach to the DCED Standard.

Methodologies for measuring results in PSD (cross-cutting)

Agency Methodologies for Measuring results in value chain development

Selected impact methodologies specific to value chain development; is listed below. For more agency methodologies in this field, please refer to the DCED Value Chains Database.

Measuring results in technical and vocational training

Measuring results in business environment reform

Methodological Papers on measuring results

Evaluations of Agencies' Work in Private Sector Development

Success Stories

For some published results, visit our Evidences of Impact page. Additional input is always welcome - particularly given the lack of results data mentioned above.

Videos on Results Measurement

This video, from the seminar 'Current Trends and Results in Private Sector Development', 17-20 January 2012, introduces the DCED Standard. Further videos are viewable.



Photographs courtesy of Sudipto Das, Melina Heinrich