STATE OF THE FIELD IN YOUTH ECONOMIC OPPORTUNITIES

Table of Contents
Chapter 1 Chapter 2 Chapter 3 Chapter 4 Chapter 5 Chapter 6 Chapter 7 Chapter 8
Chapter 9
Chapter 10 Chapter 11 Chapter 12 Chapter 13 Chapter 14 Chapter 15 Annexes
2012 State of the Field in Youth Economic Opportunities
9.3.1 Practical Tips: Improving Objectives Related to Financial Capability
The YouthSave Consortium has learned the
importance of creating SMART indicators that are
specific enough to narrow in on the outcomes the
project seeks to achieve. It’s important to brainstorm
indicators and transform initial ideas into concrete
and measureable outcome indicators.
• The objective, “Youth will be more financially
literate” is too vague.
Transform into “Youth will understand how
to make a savings deposit.”
• Why Because it is generally agreed that making
a savings deposit is a concrete action related to
financial capability.
• The objective, “Youth will have greater economic
security” is too subjective. What does economic
security mean Does this mean having enough
money to meet basic needs or something else
Also, this is not an achievable outcome because
youth economic security is affected by so many
other factors outside of the control of the
intervention.
Transform into Youth will have one or more
long term goals for saving and a plan for how they
will begin to save.
• Why It’s possible to measure if youth have one
or more goals and a plan. Also, it is reasonable to
think that we can help youth come up with these
goals and plans during the course of our project.)
Finally, be sure to ask the group of youth you’re
working with if they think they are outcomes they
want for themselves.
9.4 Effective M&E Instruments will Ease Implementation and Enhance Data Auality
Theories of change and SMART indicators are critical to overarching M&E design. However, excellent M&E
design can be undone by inadequate instruments (surveys, interview protocols, focus group discussions, etc.) or
poor implementation.
• Make all instruments developmentally and culturally appropriate. Young people should
understand and find the questions being posed to be relevant. Box 9.4.1 explains how an Operations
Management System is helping to build an evidence-based organization and network, and Box 9.4.2
details how to develop effective survey questions.
• Pay attention to details in implementation. Roles and responsibilities of project team members
should be clearly defined. Work plans should be feasible. Box 9.4.3 offers more specifics.
• New tools can streamline data analysis. New software, including open source software, can
facilitate data analysis for both quantitative and qualitative data. Box 9.4.4 includes examples of
qualitative data analysis software.
Chapter 9: Monitoring, Evaluation,
& Impact Evaluation
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