This week, PRESA is training over 20 site partners and ICRAF staff on outcome mapping. The training will help each site partner to define goals at their sites while empowering them to contribute to the PRESA workplan and budget for 2010.

Outcome mapping training for PRESA staff and partners is underway in Limuru, Kenya. At right is lead facilitator, Julius Nyangaga, from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI)

The training in outcome mapping began on Monday, 1st March, 2010 at the Brackenhurst Conference Centre in Limuru, Kenya. It will run until Saturday the 6th of March. The training coincides with the annual meeting of the PRESA International Advisory Committee, scheduled for Thursday, March 4.

“We thought that the making of the 2010 PRESA workplan and budget should be a participatory process,” says Thomas Yatich of ICRAF, “that is why we are training our partners in outcome mapping.”

Is outcome mapping a new buzz word among development workers? What exactly does it mean?

Outcome mapping is an approach to project planning, monitoring and evaluation that envisages and supports the development of desired outcomes (changes) as they unfold. What is the vision of the project? That is, what should be seen at the end of the project? What must the project planners do to realize the vision? Which partners will help turn the vision into reality?

Julius Nyangaga, a facilitator from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), says that through outcome mapping, a programme becomes specific about which actors to target, what changes are expected, and what kind of strategies to be employed. As a result, the programme becomes more effective in terms of achieving results.

“Outcome mapping requires you to engage with partners in relationships,” explains Julius. In this way, outcome mapping not only focuses on instigating change among beneficiary communities but is interested in changes within boundary partners. For example, building the capacity of community based organizations to become players in natural resource management.

The training schedule, combined with planning for the International Advisory Committee meeting means that participants have had little time to sample what the highland landscape of Limuru has to offer. However, the comfortable ambience at Brackenhurst more than makes up for the effort expended in learning something new.

View presentations on outcome mapping

Overview of PRESA

Introduction to outcome mapping

Developing a vision, mission and identifying boundary partners

Outcome challenges and progress markers/indicators

Strategy maps or matrices; Supporting outcomes

Organizational practices and monitoring progress in outcome mapping

Monitoring progress in outcome mapping