The outcome of a project is one of the results of it. Many times, the donors ask for them specifically in the proposal. Furthermore, they also want to be able to measure them. This is more difficult than it looks at first sight though. In this article, we will take a detailed look at the factors that come into play and how to overcome them.
An outcome basically is the result of an objective. It is one stage more abstract than an output. The output is the direct result of an activity, and normally easily defined and measured. When talking about the outcomes, this gets more difficult though.
In theory, outcomes should be defined while designing the objectives of a project. Sometimes, this is not very easy though. Outcomes are oriented towards the long term and thus are not always clear. While output is easily defined, as it is the direct result of activities, outcomes are trickier.
Let’s look at an example. If a planned activity is training, the output is the number of people trained. But the outcome would be, what the people do with the things they learned in the training. While you can try to define this, it is very difficult because, in the longer term, many different factors play into this. The participants of the training could use the things they learned in many different ways that could be equally beneficial. I.e. they could use knowledge about new agricultural technologies to increase their income or to manage their soils more sustainably. Influencing beneficiaries in their decision might be out of the possibilities and also out of the interest of the people – in the end, the beneficiaries should be empowered to make their own choices. In this case, it would be very difficult to define an outcome – the actually achieved one as well as the planned one.
One of the characteristics of a good objective should be that it is measurable – in reality, this is not always the case though. Objectives are often about a shift in perspective and opinion. The result of them is very difficult to measure.
Also, there might be other things that play into the outcome of a project, as it is more long-term oriented. Other developments might have had a big influence on the outcome, like i.e. political changes or other projects. While you can guess what the outcome of your project is, it is very difficult to claim causality – at least to proof it.
So what can you do? Whenever possible, try to stick to outputs rather than outcomes. They are the direct results of your activities and easily measurable. If the donor insists that you make claims about the outcomes of your project, put them in perspective. Chose objectives that are easily measurable and be clear about what your expected results are, but also which other factors could play into it.
Eva is based in Germany and has worked for nearly a decade with NGOs on the grassroots level in Nepal in the field of capacity development and promotion of sustainable agricultural practices. Before that, she worked in South America and Europe with different organizations. She holds a Ph.D. in geography and her field of research was sustainability and inclusion in development projects.
Nice write up Eva
Madam Eva, thank you so much for this helpful article.
It has been so wanderful to me. I have liked it.
I appreciate for your support.
Chief Executive Director Rwenzori Youth Development Association RYDA found in Uganda.