Category: Project management
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The Recurring Cost of Being Digital

The evolution from Web 2.0 to today’s subscription economy has shifted operational costs, burdening small businesses and freelancers with recurring payments for digital services. This creates dependency on digital platforms, complicates ownership, and raises concerns about long-term affordability. The implications for digital inclusion and sustainable operations are increasingly significant.
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Surfacing Value: What Project Evidence Can Tell Us Beyond the Indicators

Development projects often generate significant evidence about their value, which can be overlooked in traditional reporting focused on predefined indicators. Agility in programming requires informed judgement and adaptation to context. Effective project specification and documentation allow for a deeper understanding of value creation through learning, decision-making, and stakeholder experiences, highlighting…
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Data Is Not Evidence: So, What Actually Changed?

This content explores the crucial distinction between data and evidence in the context of educational and development programmes. While data represents numbers collected, evidence signifies insights about change. The piece argues for assessing the claims of change and ensuring that evaluation systems provide appropriate evidence to substantiate those claims, rather…
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MEAL Isn’t New – To Me…
The author reflects on their experience completing the MEAL Essentials Certificate, noting that while it presents familiar concepts in Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning, it merely formalises established practices rather than introducing new ideas. MEAL aims to create discipline within systems where data collection and action are often disconnected, highlighting…
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The Conditions Under Which OKRs Actually Work
Organizations increasingly adopt Objectives and Key Results (OKR) without the necessary understanding to utilize them effectively. The framework, originally a tool for disciplined execution, requires clarity of outcomes and proper measurement. When applied in complex environments lacking this foundation, OKRs become meaningless, creating an illusion of progress without genuine understanding.
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The Last Line of Defence for Learners
The post emphasizes that effective instructional design is grounded in educational science rather than aesthetics. It highlights the importance of clearly defined roles, decision-making authority, and adherence to evidence-based principles. When these elements are neglected, learning experiences may appear polished but ultimately fail to meet learner needs, undermining effectiveness.
