Monitoring and Evaluating Community Projects – using Soft Systems Methodology to Define Requirements

Crawford P* & Swete Kelly D*

1. Aid-It Solutions, Morriset, Australia
2. RDSM Consulting, Philippines

Fundamental to the mission of international aid agencies is the desire to foster change in the world. Judgements about the extent and merit of these changes are enabled by processes of monitoring and evaluation (M&E). A challenge facing M&E practitioners is that social change is complex, and hence the development of M&E systems can be conceptually and practically complex.

Soft Systems Methodology (SSM) was developed through 35 years of Action Research in which highly developed ‘systems engineering’ methodologies were evolved to cope with complex, ill-defined human situations—such as judging the performance of international aid projects.

SSM was recently applied to develop a M&E framework for a complex program of community development in the Philippines (Philippines-Australia Community Assistance Program). SSM was found to assist with appreciating the systemic relationships between various stakeholders, and in designing the information system to enable judgements about changes fostered by the program.

This workshop will introduce participants to SSM, and review its application to the development of M&E information systems (MEIS). Participants will use a selection of SSM tools to explore simplistic systems, thereby developing an appreciation for their use.

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