For small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), traditional, resource-intensive evaluations are often impractical, leaving critical business decisions to guesswork. This training course is designed to empower SME owners and professionals with microevaluation models, a lean and agile approach to performance measurement. By focusing on rapid feedback loops, actionable insights, and cost-effective data collection, participants will learn how to quickly test new products, refine marketing strategies, and track return on investment (ROI). This ensures that every business decision is informed by evidence, allowing for swift adaptation and sustainable growth in a competitive market.

This comprehensive program provides a practical, hands-on roadmap for integrating evaluation into the fast-paced world of small business. Participants will gain skills in everything from designing A/B tests and conducting customer satisfaction surveys to analyzing social media metrics and presenting findings to drive strategic pivots. The course is a strategic investment for any business seeking to enhance its efficiency and resilience, ensuring its work is a force for positive change in a world that needs it most.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• SME Owners and Managers
• Social Entrepreneurs
• Business Analysts
• Product Managers
• Marketing Specialists
• Operations Managers
• Strategic Planners
• Researchers
• Consultants
• Startup Founders

Objectives:

• Understand the core principles of microevaluation for SMEs.
• Master the process of designing a lean evaluation framework.
• Learn how to select and measure key performance indicators (KPIs).
• Develop a data collection and analysis plan for rapidly changing contexts.
• Integrate ethical considerations and safety protocols.
• Build a more participatory and inclusive approach to monitoring.
• Communicate findings to different audiences while managing risk.
• Ensure ethical considerations and safety protocols in data collection.
• Foster a culture of continuous learning and adaptive management.
• Apply microevaluation techniques to a wide range of sectors.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to Microevaluation

• The limitations of traditional, resource-intensive M&E
• Defining microevaluation and its purpose
• The business case for a lean and agile approach
• An overview of the microevaluation workflow
• The difference between an output and a business outcome

Module 2: Foundational Concepts for Business

• The importance of a clear and focused business model
• Understanding the context and its impact on the business
• The role of a program's theory of change
• The importance of a clear and testable hypothesis
• An overview of the data-to-dashboard workflow

Module 3: Designing a Lean Framework

• The importance of a clear and focused framework
• The role of a "business analysis" in M&E design
• Integrating a gender and social inclusion analysis
• The importance of a "risk and mitigation" plan
• Case studies on effective framework design

Module 4: Key Performance Indicators (KPIs)

• The importance of a clear and compelling KPI
• The difference between an output, an outcome, and an impact
• The use of a simple scorecard and a dashboard
• Practical labs on a basic performance measurement tool
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style

Module 5: A/B Testing and Experimental Design

• The importance of a clear and focused research question
• The role of a "control group" and an "experimental group"
• The use of a simple A/B test
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• Practical labs on a basic A/B test

Module 6: Data Collection and Security

• The importance of a clear and secure data collection protocol
• The use of a simple survey and an interview
• The role of a data management system (e.g., Salesforce, SAP)
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• Protocols for handling sensitive and confidential data

Module 7: Data Analysis and Interpretation

• The importance of a clear data analysis plan
• Using simple statistical analysis for quantitative data
• The role of qualitative data analysis methods
• Interpreting findings from a business perspective
• The importance of data triangulation

Module 8: M&E for a Diverse Audience

• The importance of knowing your audience
• The role of a "stakeholder analysis"
• Designing reports and dashboards for non-technical audiences
• The importance of accessibility and inclusivity
• Case studies on communicating with different audiences

Module 9: Mainstreaming Microevaluation

• How to integrate M&E into the project cycle
• The importance of a phased implementation strategy
• The role of M&E in the project cycle
• Building a culture of adaptive management
• Case studies on successful integration

Module 10: The Role of the M&E Professional

• Shifting from a technician to a facilitator
• The skills required for an M&E professional
• Managing power dynamics and group conflicts
• The importance of a non-judgmental and empathetic approach
• The ethical responsibilities of the M&E professional

Module 11: M&E for a Diverse Sector

• M&E for a technology company
• M&E for a social enterprise
• M&E for a manufacturing company
• M&E for a service-based business
• M&E for a retail business

Module 12: The Future of M&E

• The role of AI and machine learning in automated analysis
• The potential of blockchain for data integrity
• The use of new data sources (e.g., social media)
• The rise of complexity-aware M&E
• The long-term implications for the sector

Module 13: CBM and Microevaluation

• The potential of community-based monitoring with a focus on business
• Training community members as monitors
• The importance of a participatory approach
• The role of a feedback mechanism for continuous learning
• The long-term benefits of a community-led system

Module 14: Practical Application and Simulation

• A hands-on simulation of a real-world project
• Participants work in teams to design an M&E framework
• Troubleshooting common challenges in data collection
• Analyzing and interpreting a set of data
• Peer review and feedback sessions on framework design

Module 15: Building Your Roadmap

• Creating a customized plan for a new project
• Identifying key stakeholders and securing buy-in
• Developing a phased implementation strategy
• Measuring the ROI and business impact of the investment
• Final Q&A and course wrap-up

Module 16: The Role of a Performance Team

• The importance of a cross-functional team
• The role of a data scientist, a data analyst, and an M&E specialist
• The importance of a clear and consistent reporting style
• The long-term implications for the organization
• The importance of a "performance" framework

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Skills for Africa Training Institute Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Skills for Africa Training Institute certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: info@skillsforafrica.org, training@skillsforafrica.org  Tel: +254 702 249 449

Terms of Payment: Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties’ payment of the course fee should be done 10 working days before commencement of the training.