Data for adaptive management: an introduction to designing and applying the collaborating, learning, and adapting (CLA) approach

Group Submission Type: Pre-conference Workshop

Proposal

The Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA) approach has gained popularity among funders and practitioners in recent years for its instrumental role in enabling effective data utilization for adaptive management. Briefly, the CLA approach is the ongoing process of formative evaluation for the purpose of learning and adapting a program to better fit the needs and realities of the context and beneficiaries. This approach goes beyond standard program monitoring and performance management in that data are used to make both improvements to program delivery and adjustments to program activities. When it’s carried out effectively, it can lead to better results for program delivery in addition to the providing unintended benefits. For example, when data comes from the field, there is a greater chance for buy-in of program design at all levels of the program.

In this workshop, participants will learn how to effectively design and apply the CLA approach in the context of education programs. Drawing on the facilitators’ experience in the use of the CLA approach on education programs in the DR Congo, Ghana, and Madagascar, this interactive and hands-on workshop will lead participants through a five-step process (1. defining questions, 2. identification of tools and target beneficiaries, 3. tool design and development, 4. training and tool refinement and administration, 5. data analysis, 6. dissemination of data and decision-making on how to improve programs based on the data collected) for gathering and using data for adaptive management and implementation.

The target audience for this workshop are practitioners, funders, or students interested in learning about how to effectively implement the CLA approach in their education programs.

The workshop will begin with a short introduction to the CLA approach followed by an overview presentation of the essential steps included in the approach. Examples of each step and sub-steps will be provided using specific cases and experience from the field. The workshop will consist of a highly interactive presentation and application of the six steps. To help participants internalize the content, facilitators will pause periodically throughout the workshop to provide a brief activity for participants to think on how to apply the step and to work toward applying the CLA approach for a particular case study “program”.

Sub Unit

• General Pool

Workshop Organizers

• Nathalie Louge, FHI 360

• Fernanda Gandara, School-to-School International

• Yvonne Cao, FHI 360