Build your “evaluator’s toolkit” with the core concepts and skills you need to analyse and improve social purpose programs.

Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) is about gathering the insights needed to improve programs and services, make key decisions, and advocate for change. MEL requires skill, but contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t need to be left to “the experts”! Anyone working in and with social purpose organisations can use MEL to boost impact.

Our practical training provides you with the knowledge and skills you need to effectively design and use MEL processes. In these interactive workshops you will use real projects as working examples, with a strong focus on ‘learning by doing’. We take you step by step through the process of designing Theories of Change, MEL Frameworks and data tools, successfully gathering data, and synthesising it to provide valuable insights.

Lirata’s team have been evaluating a wide range of social purpose projects and programs since 2010. We know MEL inside out. Our facilitators draw on their extensive experience to explain complex concepts in plain language, and help you apply them to your own context. From each module you will take away clear examples, templates and resources for ongoing use.

Choose any combination of our five MEL training modules. You can book for just a single module, or package 2 or more modules together to suit your individual skills and preferences.

Register for 2 or more modules to receive a discount!
Early bird discount also available on individual modules until 20 March 2023.
Option to add flexible 1:1 mentoring for additional in-depth guidance and support.

How to develop Program Logic and Theory of Change (MEL-01)

2x half-day sessions (7 hours total): Tuesday 2 May 2023, 9.30am-1.00pm AEST + Tuesday 9 May 2023, 9.30am-1.00pm AEST

Price (including GST):

$495 stand-alone module
$450 packaged with 1 or more other modules
$450 early bird discount (until 20/03/2023)

In this module you will learn everything you need to know in order to develop clear Program Logics and Theories of Change, and to use them in designing robust projects and programs and measuring their effectiveness. In addition to learning the theory, you’ll work on real examples, applying our step-by-step process through small group work with in-depth support from our two facilitators. Our tried and tested approach will help you to clarify outcomes, explain how your work contributes to them, and clearly communicate your program design to stakeholders.

After completing this module, you will take away a draft Program Logic and a Theory of Change that you have developed, as well as practical templates and resources for ongoing use. You will build your skills to:

Articulate the key concepts of Program Logic and Theory of Change, and the differences between them
Confidently identify and understand the various elements of a Program Logic and Theory of Change
Design and lead a process to develop a Program Logic or Theory of Change, involving your key stakeholders
Draft and finalise a Program Logic and Theory of Change

→ See full details of this module

How to develop Monitoring & Evaluation Frameworks (MEL-02)

2x half-day sessions (7 hours total): Tuesday 23 May 2023, 9.30am-1.00pm AEST + Tuesday 30 May 2023, 9.30am-1.00pm AEST

Price (including GST):

$495 stand-alone module
$450 packaged with 1 or more other modules
$450 early bird discount (until 20/03/2023)

In this module you will learn the key concepts and skills needed to develop Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Frameworks that will assist organisations to measure the impact of their work, provide more effective services, and advocate on behalf of clients and communities. In addition to learning the theory, you'll work on real examples, applying our step-by-step process through small group work with in-depth support from our two facilitators. You will cover all the core building blocks including key evaluation questions, indicators, and data collection methods for different stakeholder groups.

After completing this module, you will take away drafts of core elements of an M&E Framework and data collection plan that you have developed, as well as practical templates and resources for ongoing use. You will build your skills to:

Explain how Monitoring and Evaluation are used together to generate actionable insights
Confidently read, understand and develop the various elements of an M&E Framework, and articulate their relationship with Program Logic and Theory of Change
Define the purpose, scope and stakeholders of M&E processes within your context
Design evaluation questions, criteria and indicators that will lead to useful findings
Develop a data collection plan that is robust and practical

To register for this module you must have a good working knowledge of Program Logic & Theory of Change. If not, we recommend also registering for module MEL-01: How to develop Program Logic and Theory of Change.

→ See full details of this module

Digging into data collection: Effective Surveys (MEL-03)

1x half-day session: Thursday 8 June 2023, 9.30am-1.00pm AEST

Price (including GST):

$295 stand-alone module
$265 packaged with 1 or more other modules
$265 early bird discount (until 20/03/2023)

In this module you will learn everything you need to know to design and conduct successful surveys for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). We will guide you step by step through the process of survey development, sharing good practice tips and examples, and explaining how to avoid common pitfalls. Our insights and learning activities will help you ask the right questions, get the best data you can from your surveys, and collect and manage it ethically.

After completing this module, you will have reviewed and critiqued a range of surveys, and identified strategies for effective survey implementation. You will take away sample survey questions that you have developed aligned with a MEL Framework, as well as useful examples and resources for ongoing use. You will build your skills to:

Understand how surveys connect with broader MEL approaches, and identify when and how to use surveys
Apply key principles for designing effective surveys for different audiences and contexts – including knowing when to use different types of questions, and the advantages and limitations of each
Collect survey data effectively, maximising the number and quality of responses
Understand ethical considerations relating to survey design and data collection, and apply practical strategies to minimise risks

→ See full details of this module

Digging into data collection: Effective Interviews & Focus Groups (MEL-04)

1x half-day session: Thursday 15 June 2023, 9.30am-1.00pm AEST

Price (including GST):

$295 stand-alone module
$265 packaged with 1 or more other modules
$265 early bird discount (until 20/03/2023)

In this module you will learn everything you need to know to plan and facilitate successful interviews and focus groups for Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL). We will guide you step by step through the design of interview and focus groups guides, avoiding common pitfalls. Our clear framework will help you think through the many considerations involved in conducting individual and group discussions to gather high quality data. You’ll learn from our experience and insights as well as getting some first-hand skills practice during learning activities.

After completing this module, you will have reviewed and critiqued interview and focus group guides, and practised facilitation of an interview or focus group. You will take away sample interview questions that you have developed aligned with a MEL Framework, as well as useful examples and resources for ongoing use. You will build your skills to:

Understand how interviews and focus groups connect with broader MEL approaches, and identify when and how to use these methods
Apply key principles for designing effective interviews and focus groups for different audiences and contexts
Facilitate interviews and focus groups effectively, managing participant dynamics and gathering high quality data
Understand ethical considerations relating to interviews and focus groups, and apply practical strategies to minimise risks

→ See full details of this module

Synthesis, Sense-making & ‘So what?’: Developing key findings and recommendations (MEL-05)

1x half-day session: Tuesday 1 August 2023, 9.30am-1.00pm AEST

Price (including GST):

$295 stand-alone module
$265 packaged with 1 or more other modules
$265 early bird discount (until 20/03/2023)

In this module you will learn the key skills needed to integrate and make sense of Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) data from multiple sources. We will teach you rigorous yet realistic approaches for distilling lots of data down into a coherent ‘rich picture’ that informs evaluative judgments and addresses key evaluation questions. We will also help you to explore how to develop effective recommendations, and to engage key stakeholders in making sense of and refining MEL findings.

After completing this module, you will have practised summarising and integrating data from various sources into meaningful findings, developed draft recommendations, and used a rubric to make evaluative judgments. You will take away useful examples and resources to help you in future. You will build your skills to:

Understand how synthesis and sense-making are used in MEL to develop a ‘rich picture’ that contributes to evaluative judgments
Use sense-making processes to identify insights from data, and understand how to involve stakeholders in these processes
Apply synthesis techniques to integrate information from various sources in ways that are practical and technically sound
Understand when and how to develop recommendations that are suitable for different audiences and contexts
Recognise and manage ethical issues related to synthesis and sense-making, including stakeholder voice, integrity, and research limitations

→ See full details of this module

Flexible MEL Mentoring

Price (including GST):

$198 per hour

Our in-depth MEL mentoring provides tailored guidance, helping you deepen your knowledge and skills as you apply MEL techniques in your day-to-day work. Through our mentoring program you will receive flexible trouble-shooting support, gain detailed feedback on draft documents and tools, and access expert implementation advice. Training participants often find this a valuable addition.

Mentoring can be provided online or in person, at times that suit your schedule. A two-hour block of mentoring is available as a standard add-on to training. We also offer MEL mentoring at hourly rates for individuals or teams - to enquire please contact us at bookings@lirata.com for a custom quote.

About our Presenters

Kate Randall
Capacity Building Coordinator

Kate Randall (she/her) is Lirata’s Capacity Building Coordinator. She is a skilled evaluation consultant with more than 20 years’ experience in program design, management, monitoring and evaluation.

Kate leads Lirata's capacity building stream, developing and delivering high-quality training and flexible mentoring in Monitoring & Evaluation skills. She provides support on a range of topics including program logic, theory of change, evaluation design, implementation trouble-shooting, data collection, analysis and synthesis, and project management. Kate has also led many and varied evaluation projects with Lirata, and prior to joining Lirata she was a Project and Program Manager. Kate has worked in in diverse contexts including disability and community services, family violence and primary prevention, housing and homelessness, emergency management, volunteering, philanthropy, and rural community development.

A member of the Australian Evaluation Society, Kate holds an MBA as well as qualifications in Project Management and Disability. She is a firm believer that evaluation is for everyone, and enjoys working with people from all walks of life to build a fairer, healthier society.

Alex Gruenewald
Consultant (Evaluation Specialist)

Alex (he/him) has around a decade’s experience in participatory design, monitoring, evaluation and learning processes in complex programming environments, including international development and emergency contexts.

Alex has contributed to many Lirata projects focused on monitoring, evaluation and learning, including evaluation partnerships with Ardoch, the Victorian Aboriginal Child Care Agency, City of Greater Geelong, HealthWest Partnership and others. His approach focuses on developing processes and systems that are tailored to organisational needs and capacities. Prior to joining Lirata Alex worked extensively in cross-cultural environments, including projects based in Pakistan, Mongolia and Bangladesh, and his facilitation style is informed by a strong understanding of and respect for cultural dynamics, power relations and diverse communication styles.

Alex is a member of the Australian Evaluation Society. He holds qualifications in Social Sciences and Social Impact, and has training in impact evaluation, outcomes measurement and cross cultural partnerships.

Further information

To find out more, contact Hadijah Tamam, Administration Coordinator at bookings@lirata.com or phone 0407 314 716.

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