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GVI Online - Project Fundamentals I: Strategy, Delivery and Evaluation (Directory Program)

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  • Locations: Online/Virtual, no specified country
  • Program Terms: Academic Year, Calendar Year, Fall, Fall I, Fall II, Fall III, J-Term, Jan Term, Janterm, May Term, Semester, Spring, Spring I, Spring II, Spring III, Summer, Summer I, Summer II, Summer III, Summer IV, Trimester, Winter
  • Homepage: Click to visit
  • Program Sponsor: GVI 
Fact Sheet:
Fact Sheet:
Click here for a definition of this term Language of Instruction: English
Program Description:

PROJECT FUNDAMENTALS I: STRATEGY, DELIVERY AND EVALUATION

Project Fundamentals Team
How is impact actually achieved? Firstly, you need to make a plan. But how do you prove that you’ve made an impact? You have to measure it.

Our Project Fundamentals I: Strategy, Delivery and Evaluation course, which is offered in partnership with Richmond University, will teach you how to develop your own strategy for creating an impact and how to collect and analyse data that shows whether this impact has been achieved.

If you’d like to take it a step further, and gain insight into how to get the word out about an impact project and raise funds to finance it, join our Project Fundamentals II course.
 
Course Information
 
Course starts1 June 2020
Enrolment closes: 27 May 2020
Duration: 1 week
Time Commitment: 15 Hours
Format: Online
Option Extra: GVI Program Abroad
Costs: Flexible Payment Options
 
Skills you’ll Acquire
 
After completing this course you’ll be able to:
  • design two different kinds of measurement projects, a monitoring project and evaluation project, and know which is appropriate to use in different circumstances
  • develop a strategy for an impact-focused initiative, project or organisation
  • know how to set impact metric and performance indicators
  • understand how to set up a data collection project.
 
Course Curriculum
 
First, learn the difference between a traditional strategy, one that is thought through before you take action, and one that develops as you take action and can be adapted to changing conditions. Learn the importance of experimentation and pattern recognition in this second approach to a strategy.

Then, learn about the different tools that can be used to design a strategy. These include market mapping, plotting your initiative, analysing competing initiatives according to values important to stakeholders, and finally, a strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT) analysis.

Finally, you’ll learn how to create visual representations of your strategy using the Theory of Change (ToC) framework and the logic model. Use the ToC framework to create a broad overview of how an initiative will achieve the suggested impact. Then, zoom in on aspects of your ToC diagram using the logic model, listing how suggested activities, inputs, outputs, and expected outcomes all work together. You’ll also explore some of the benefits, disadvantages and limitations of both frameworks.

Go on to learn how to measure impact. Explore the difference between metrics and key performance indicators (KPIs). Learn the difference between quantitative indicators, those that can be measured with numbers, and qualitative indicators, those that provide more information about trends and themes by using words. Find out how to formulate these indicators, set up baselines from which to measure change and set targets based on the available resources, duration and scope of the initiative.

Discuss the advantages and the challenges of a range of data-collection methods from surveys to participatory methods such as focus groups and interviews. Develop a system for data collection listing roles and responsibilities. Then, talk about the benefits of cutting-edge innovations in data collection and analysis such as big data and predictive analytics, and risks such as the need to ensure privacy.

Learn the difference between monitoring and evaluation (M&E). While monitoring is an ongoing internal process used to assess progress made towards intended goals, evaluation is an external independent assessment that often involves extensive analysis. Familiarise yourself with common challenges experienced with M&E projects such as the availability and the quality of data.

Lastly, you’ll find out how to set up a monitoring and evaluation plan. This will include: getting to grips with the three key parts of a monitoring system: process and outcome measures, the observational system and regular feedback on performance and learning about the necessary criteria of an evaluation plan, effectiveness, efficiency, sustainability, impact and relevance, as listed by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).

You’ll wrap up the learning of the above concepts, by discussing all these theories in the context of real-life case studies, helping you to ground your understanding in the practical realities of fieldwork.
 
Orientation to our online learning platform
 
Module 1: Developing a strategy for environmental or social impact
Module 2: How to monitor and evaluate impact
Module 3: Technology and tools
Module 4: Case studies
Module 5: Current and future approaches to impact measurement
 
EARN A CERTIFICATE
 
Want to show colleges, universities and employers that you’ve got the knowledge and skills covered in this course? Once you’ve successfully completed any of our courses, we’ll send you a digital certificate of completion at no additional cost. The certificate will feature the official name of the course, your name, the date and a signature from your course instructor. Add the certificate to your college application, your graduate school application, your job application or your LinkedIn page.
 
GVI ONLINE IN PARTNERSHIP WITH RICHMOND SCHOOL OF PROFESSIONAL & CONTINUING STUDIES
 
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