2022’s Most Popular Content
This December, we’re looking back at all the ways the Learning Lab community engaged with us in 2022. Many of you contributed content to our newly redesigned website to share your perspectives on learning and adapting in development programming.
We really felt your enthusiasm this summer during the CLA Case Competition, which added 120 new cases representing over 70 countries and a dozen sectors to the knowledge base. All throughout the year, community members continued to post new content–such as the Theory of Change Workbook–and share old favorites, like the Organizational Capacity Assessment. A big thank you to all of you for making this community the knowledge hub that it is—take a look at the most popular Learning Lab content from 2022 below.
New to the community? We invite you to explore and share! If it is your first time contributing, take a look at our writing and submission tips page for guidance on posting resources, blogs, and events.
Thanks again for a great year! We look forward to seeing what fresh perspectives 2023 will bring on integrating CLA, monitoring, and evaluation into development programming.
Discover the Top 10 most popular Learning Lab resources and blogs in 2022 below.
Top 10 Most Popular Learning Lab Content in 2022
After reviewing the How-To Note (see below), check out the Activity MEL template, which provides a suggested outline and basic guidance for the development of an Activity MEL Plan by a USAID implementing partner.
CLA Framework, Maturity Tool and Spectrum Handouts
Using a series of physical cards, the Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) Maturity Tool helps a group of people assess where they are and where they want to go in strengthening systematic, intentional, and resourced integration of CLA throughout the Program Cycle and within a mission’s culture and processes.
Additional Help: CLA Maturity Tool
The maturity tool helps USAID Missions think more deliberately about how to plan for and implement CLA approaches that fit the Mission’s context and needs. With easy to use cards, this tool offers examples of what CLA looks like at different stages.
Establishing a Learning Agenda: Guidance and Template
Check out this guidance on establishing a learning agenda in three key steps by 1) understanding context, 2) developing and prioritizing learning questions, and 3) planning/resourcing learning activities.
Evaluation Design Matrix Templates
Use this matrix as an essential tool for planning and organizing an evaluation. The simple table helps address evaluation design issues such as data collection methods, data sources, analysis methods, and criteria for comparisons.
How-To Note: Activity MEL Plan
This How-To Note provides an overview of what is typically included in an Activity MEL Plan and outlines practical steps for developing, reviewing, and maintaining one. A MEL plan will support activity management and inform USAID and implementing partners on whether and how an activity is making progress toward stated results.
How-To Note: Performance Management Plan (PMP)
Review this How-to Note for practical steps to develop and maintain this mission-wide tool for planning and managing the process of (1) monitoring strategic progress, project performance, programmatic assumptions, and operational context; (2) evaluating performance and impact; and (3) learning and adapting from evidence.
Locally Led Development Spectrum and Checklist Tool
Use this tool to think about how USAID, its partners, and communities can work together to shift agenda-setting and decision-making power into the hands of local actors.
Theory of Change Workbook: A Step-by-Step Process for Developing or Strengthening Theories of Change
This workbook helps stakeholders work through the process of developing strong theories of change to answer questions on a program’s outcomes, entry points, interventions, and assumptions.
Organizational Capacity Assessment (OCA)
Do you want to increase ownership of an action plan? Use the Organizational Capacity Assessment tool for a facilitated self-assessment of an organization's capacity, then follow with action planning for capacity improvements.