Degree that adaptive practices have contributed to the objectives of a project, program, or initiative

Indicator Number: 
65

Category: 

Logic Model Component: 

Data Type(s): 
Categorical scale, qualitative
Short Definition: 

Refers to the extent to which taking an adaptive approach has contributed to achievement of project, program, or initiative objectives

Definition and Explanation (Long): 

This indicator refers to the extent to which taking an adaptive approach has contributed to achievement of project, program, or initiative objectives. Specifically, that an adaptive practice has made an impact on a project, program, or initiative. Generally, projects, programs, or initiatives should not be required to show the unique contributions of adaptive practice on their objectives; instead, they should indicate the use of tools, approaches, and processes demonstrated to contribute to the more efficient and effective delivery of objectives.

Data Requirements: 

Quantitative data from surveys or questionnaires using Likert scales to determine degree of change in norms or behaviors, self and others; qualitative data from key informant interviews and focus group discussions on specific norms and behaviors reported to have changed and why, and the implications of those changes

Data Sources: 

Surveys, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, after-action reviews, research studies

Frequency of Data Collection: 
Once, at the conclusion of the project, program, or initiative
Purpose: 
The aim of this indicator is to measure the extent to which adaptive practices improved and/or influenced project, program, or initiative outcomes.
Issues and Challenges: 
Allocating project funds for this type of study, or building it into the evaluation of the project, program, or initiative, can be challenging due to competing priorities. It is likely that there would not be a comparable project, program, or initiative that could be evaluated as a control against the project, program, or initiative that did use adaptive practices, so the study of the difference would be minimal or extrapolated. However, one could compare similar projects, one that used adaptive practices, and one that did not, and compare outcomes. Ideally, the extent of this change would be shown through the collection of stories, cases, or examples about how adaptive practices contributed to a project, program, or initiative. It also is challenging, but not impossible, to get a good baseline of the project norms prior to the use of adaptive practices.
Resources: 

Evidence-base for Collaborating, Learning, and Adpting (eb4cla): https://usaidlearninglab.org/eb4cla

Published Year: 

  • 2017
Last Updated Date: 
Wednesday, December 13, 2017