Guidelines for Impact Monitoring & Assessment in Microfinance ...

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IMPACT MONITORING & ASSESSMENT IN MICROFINANCE PROGRAMMES Impact Monitoring generally refers to a regular, systematic observation process and the on-going collection of information over time on the basis of pre-defined impact indicators to ensure that a project is implemented in a timely and efficient man- ner. Impact Assessment (IA) complements IM. IA results can be used to redefine IM indicators. However, IA serves a different purpose than IM. IA usually compares clients with non-clients (often using new clients as a reference group) and provides information to plausibly associate changes in selected impact variables to a programme. It has implications for the use of the information collected through IM. Impact Assessment estimates the value, degree and/or pattern of change that can be plausibly associated with an intervention based on the information obtained through monitoring. IA allows for a better understanding of interventions and results in recommendations for improvement. Thus, IA should be able to: 18 • Identify which clients are receiving more benefits and which are receiving less, and why; • Provide information on the different sectors in which clients are working; • Improve institutional understanding of client preferences in terms of products and services; and, • Assess the key socio-economic characteristics of programme clientele to de- termine whether the programme is reaching its intended target populations. Clients Set Their Own Indicators We can only incorporate the spectrum of impact perceptions in the monitoring and evaluation process if the target population is actively involved in all aspects of IM and IA. Because impact changes over time, we must repeat client interviews. Clients are the subjects rather than the objects of impact evaluation. At the same time, the problem of subjectivity in client perception must be treated carefully. Each client not only has their own life history, but also their own programme participation history. Individual clients might have special reasons for program outcomes that differ from those of their neighbour, who, from our point of view, is living in the same, or at least
INTRODUCTION similar, surrounding. The type of MFI also determines the nature of impact at the client level. Thus, each MFI should identify its own goals and indicators, based on its own experience and mission. From Proving Impact to Improving Intervention A widespread opinion among practitioners is that separate efforts to measure impact are not necessary because microfinance programmes are self-evaluating: the success of a programme is best measured by its continued growth and its ability to keep clients. In other words, if the programme serves clients efficiently and profitably, it is obviously doing a good job, and the clients demonstrate that they value the programme by their on-going participation. This line of reasoning, which uses institutional and financial viability indicators as proxies for quality measurement, tells us more about the financial institution than about the clients. Hence, in the past, impact evaluations in microfinance have tended to be contrary to reality, strictly separating institutional and financial performance evaluation and impact assessment. We argue that sustainable institutions rely on sustainable clients - and vice versa. Hence, we focus on the interrelated and cumulative process. The purpose of practitioner-led IM and IA is to combine the twin goals of proving impact and improving intervention. Strengthening Internal Management Capacities The better the needs of the programme users are met, the better the desired results or objectives will be achieved. Thus, we can expect that programme interventions generate welfare effects in the sense of lasting improvements in living conditions at the client level. It is indispensable for comprehensive IM to know the ”whys” of both clients and institutions in order to assess whether objectives are met, on which level and in which direction. Client feedback helps explain the level of observed impact, and also serves as a useful market research tool for programme services. The following questions concern the relevance, effectiveness, and impact of programme interventions and are related to issues at the client level. Impact? Have project interventions resulted in lasting improvements in living conditions at the client level? Effectiveness? Are the desired results or objectives being achieved? Relevance? Does the programme meet client needs? 19
Page 1 and 2: Birgit Schäfer IMPACT MONITORING &
Page 3 and 4: IMPACT MONITORING & ASSESSMENT IN M
Page 5 and 6: Table of Contents IMPACT MONITORING
Page 7 and 8: Abbreviations IMPACT MONITORING & A
Page 9 and 10: Part 1: Introduction SCOPE by Rolan
Page 11 and 12: These Guidelines 5 : INTRODUCTION
Page 13 and 14: STEP 4: Selection and adaptation of
Page 15 and 16: UNDERSTANDING IMPACT AND IMPACT MEA
Page 17: INTRODUCTION Impact involves econom
Page 21 and 22: Table 1: The Programme Outcome Mode
Page 23 and 24: INTRODUCTION Graphic 2: Benchmarks
Page 25 and 26: INTRODUCTION The new office is sche
Page 27 and 28: Mediating Variables INTRODUCTION Fa
Page 29 and 30: INTRODUCTION conduct IM and IA. The
Page 31 and 32: INTRODUCTION enough flexibility to
Page 33 and 34: INTRODUCTION Quantitative impact mo
Page 35 and 36: And merge the findings of the two a
Page 37 and 38: CHARACTER- ISTICS INTRODUCTION QUAN
Page 39 and 40: INTRODUCTION analyse this data to d
Page 41 and 42: INTRODUCTION political dexterity an
Page 43 and 44: INTRODUCTION and evaluation systems
Page 45 and 46: INTRODUCTION Let us conclude with t
Page 47 and 48: Part 2: Implementation Steps 2.1 IN
Page 49 and 50: IMPLEMENTATION STEPS • Survey res
Page 51 and 52: OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT
Page 53 and 54: QUESTIONS • How long has the prog
Page 55 and 56: Clientele: • duration of membersh
Page 57 and 58: IMPLEMENTATION STEPS MFI can calcul
Page 59 and 60: The Natural Environment IMPLEMENTAT
Page 61 and 62: ANALYSIS OF THE HOUSEHOLD LEVEL IMP
Page 63 and 64: Graphic 6: Household Socio-Economic
Page 65 and 66: Graphic 7: Vulnerability of Livelih
Page 67 and 68: OBJECTIVES ACTIVITIES RESPONSIBILIT
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS ries of mutual
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Core Impact Hy
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Core Impact Hypotheses at the Enter
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Possible Negat
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IDENTIFICATION OF IMPACT INDICATORS
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS figures are no
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Quality Criteria (II) IMPLEMENTATIO
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS • Ordinal me
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CORE INDICATORS AT THE FAMILY/HOUSE
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS CORE INDICATOR
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CORE INDICATORS AT COMMUNITY LEVEL
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APPLICATION OF SURVEY TOOLS IMPLEME
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IMPACT SURVEY IMPLEMENTATION STEPS
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IMPACT SURVEY IMPLEMENTATION STEPS
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 1: Impact
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12. Invested (major) in enterprise
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS 51. Farm inven
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10 = Cash for emergencies 11 = Pock
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TOOL 2 CLIENT MONITORING SYSTEM IMP
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BALANCE SHEET IMPLEMENTATION STEPS
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Number of loan: ________________ DE
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Household Income ($) Household Expe
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TOOL 3 CLIENT EXIT INTERVIEW TYPE Q
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 3: Client
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 3: Client
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 4: CASE S
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 4: CASE S
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 5: Case S
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 5: Case S
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS TOOL 6: Roundt
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OBJECTIVES STEP 5: DATA ANALYSIS IM
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• data collected • respondent o
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Open-code Responses IMPLEMENTATION
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Descriptive Analysis IMPLEMENTATION
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS is to list all
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS CEL. The probl
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Inferential Analysis IMPLEMENTATION
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Example 5: Is
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Example 7: Dis
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS Example 1: Cli
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IMPLEMENTATION STEPS The next sever
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Village: Date: Note taker: Facilita
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Village: Date: Note taker: Facilita
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ANNEX 1: SOURCES AND FURTHER READIN
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ANNEX 1 - SOURCES AND FURTHER READI
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ANNEX 2 - RAPID APPRAISAL METHODS:
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ANNEX 3: INTERVIEW GUIDE 61 BASIC G
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ANNEX 4: SAMPLING METHODS 62 ANNEX
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Purposive Sampling ANNEX 4 - SAMPLI
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ANNEX 4 - SAMPLING METHODS ball sam
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ANNEX 4 - SAMPLING METHODS start wi
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