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Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme, Phase III - Midterm evaluation

eval_number:

3163

eval_url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/eval/3163

lessons_learned:

themes:

theme:

Planning and programme design

category:

Organizational issues

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comments:

SCORE national and global management ILO EVAL

challenges:

Output-level indicators seem to have been developed based as much on what can be achieved as what needs to be achieved to deliver Outcomes. If a theory of change was integral to programme design and implementation, one would not expect this to happen.

success:

Good progress is being made with many of the prescribed Outputs. The programme introduced a revised Theory of Change during Phase III, although this was too late to affect design and it could be improved.

context:

Output-Outcome links are important for any programme built on causal linkages as set out in logframes and/more theories of change. Weak links are more likely to happen when the theory of change is not properly integrated into programme design and/or management. One potential consequence is that a programme sets targets and KPIs that are achievable rather than emphasizing outcome targets which are the most important to achieve.

description:

SCORE highlights the importance of having a strong link between Outputs and Outcomes/Immediate Objectives and making sure these are incorporated into programme design and management. If this is not the case, then progress against Outputs can appear positive even though there are doubts as to whether the Outcome will be realized. For instance, capacitating implementation partners to engage with lead buyers (IO 2, Output 6) will not help achieve Immediate Objective 2 if the assumption that lead buyers are present in a sector or country is false. This situation can lead to an inefficient allocation of resources, either by investing in Outputs that are not adequately contributing to Outcomes, or by overlooking activities that have Outcome-level significance. A review of the contribution of Outputs to Outcomes (including the validity of assumptions) would help in the prioritization of activities in the remainder of Phase III. This would include testing the assumptions in the Phase III Project Document and the underlying assumption implicit in the Theory of Change.

administrative_issues:

A review of current Outputs in the context of Outcomes could be carried out by programme management in order to identify if there are any revised Outputs and activities that are feasible in the time remaining and which could better ensure Outcomes/Immediate Objectives were met.

url:

https://webapps.ilo.org/ievaldiscovery/lessons/250861

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location:

country:

Inter-Regional

region:

Inter-Regional

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eval_title:

Sustaining Competitive and Responsible Enterprises (SCORE) programme, Phase III - Midterm evaluation