In the realm of complex social and development programs, conventional M&E methods often fail to capture the nuanced, qualitative changes that truly matter to beneficiaries. This training course is designed to empower M&E and project professionals to harness the power of the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique. By shifting the focus from pre-defined indicators to emergent, human stories of change, participants will learn how to identify, document, and analyze the most meaningful impacts from the perspective of those directly involved.

This comprehensive program provides a practical, hands-on roadmap for designing and facilitating effective MSC workshops. Participants will gain skills in eliciting compelling narratives, systematically selecting the "most significant" stories, and using them to inform program decisions and communication. The course is a strategic investment for organizations seeking to enhance the relevance, credibility, and learning capacity of their M&E systems, ensuring that their work is not only effective but also deeply connected to the lived experiences of the people they serve.

Duration: 10 days

Target Audience:

• M&E Specialists
• Program and Project Managers
• Community Development Workers
• Researchers
• Humanitarian Aid Workers
• Strategic Planners
• Grant Managers
• Consultants
• Social Justice Advocates
• Communications Officers

Objectives:

• Understand the core principles and philosophy of the MSC technique.
• Master the process of designing and facilitating MSC workshops.
• Learn how to effectively collect and document stories of change.
• Develop a systematic process for selecting the "most significant" stories.
• Integrate the MSC technique with a traditional M&E system.
• Build a more participatory and learning-oriented approach to M&E.
• Communicate complex program impact through compelling narratives.
• Ensure the ethical and responsible use of personal stories.
• Facilitate a culture of reflection and shared learning within an organization.
• Apply the MSC technique to a wide range of development and social change contexts.

Course Modules:

Module 1: Introduction to the MSC Technique

• The limitations of indicator-based M&E
• Defining the Most Significant Change (MSC) technique
• The philosophy of MSC as a learning-oriented approach
• Key differences between MSC and other qualitative methods
• An overview of the MSC process and its application

Module 2: Foundational Concepts for MSC

• Understanding what constitutes a "significant change"
• The role of stakeholder participation and co-creation
• The importance of a clear and focused "domain of change"
• The concept of the "story of change" as a data point
• The power of narrative in understanding impact

Module 3: Designing an MSC Process

• Defining the purpose and scope of your MSC application
• Identifying and engaging a selection of stakeholders
• Developing the "domain of change" questions
• Creating a feedback and selection plan
• Setting up a system for data collection and analysis

Module 4: Facilitating an MSC Workshop (Part 1)

• The art and science of group facilitation
• Techniques for creating a safe and reflective space
• Guiding participants in sharing their stories of change
• Active listening skills for capturing the full narrative
• Encouraging participation from all members

Module 5: Facilitating an MSC Workshop (Part 2)

• Guiding the group in the "selection process"
• Developing criteria for selecting the "most significant" stories
• The importance of open and transparent dialogue
• Documenting the reasons for selection
• The role of the facilitator as a neutral guide

Module 6: Collecting Stories of Change

• Using different methods for story collection (e.g., interviews, focus groups)
• The importance of open-ended and probing questions
• Ethical considerations and consent for story collection
• Best practices for documenting the stories accurately
• Storing and managing the story data securely

Module 7: The Selection Process in Practice

• Creating a selection panel of diverse stakeholders
• The role of the panel in reviewing the stories
• Using a systematic and transparent selection process
• Documenting the rationale for why stories were chosen
• The importance of regular selection meetings

Module 8: Analysis and Interpretation of Stories

• Coding and categorizing the stories for analysis
• Identifying recurring themes and patterns
• The use of qualitative data analysis software
• Drawing out key lessons and insights from the stories
• Integrating the findings into program decisions

Module 9: MSC and M&E Frameworks

• How to use MSC to inform a program's theory of change
• Complementing quantitative data with qualitative stories
• Using MSC to validate or challenge a program's assumptions
• The role of MSC in a mixed-methods M&E approach
• Using MSC findings for real-time adjustments

Module 10: Communicating Impact with MSC

• Using the stories to create compelling reports and presentations
• The importance of a narrative-based approach to communication
• Creating visual and creative materials from the stories
• Communicating with different audiences (e.g., donors, partners, beneficiaries)
• Ensuring the original voices are preserved

Module 11: MSC in Practice: A Case Study

• A deep dive into a real-world MSC application
• Analyzing the story collection and selection process
• Identifying the M&E and program management applications
• Group discussion on lessons learned and best practices
• Applying the case study concepts to personal work

Module 12: Ethical Considerations in MSC

• The responsibility to protect personal stories and privacy
• Ensuring informed consent and the right to withdraw
• The potential for misinterpretation and misuse of stories
• The importance of giving back to the community
• Developing a clear ethical framework for your work

Module 13: The Role of the Facilitator

• Advanced facilitation techniques for complex group dynamics
• Strategies for building trust and rapport with diverse groups
• The importance of a non-judgmental and empathetic approach
• Managing power dynamics in a participatory process
• The role of the facilitator in ensuring authenticity

Module 14: Practical Application and Simulation

• A hands-on simulation of an MSC workshop
• Participants work in teams to facilitate a mock session
• Troubleshooting common challenges in real-time
• Selecting "most significant" stories from a provided set
• Peer review and feedback sessions on facilitation skills

Module 15: The Future of Participatory M&E

• The role of technology in enhancing MSC
• The convergence of MSC with other qualitative methods
• The rise of complexity-aware M&E
• The long-term implications for program design and funding
• Anticipating the next wave of participatory approaches

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.