MDF and Outcome Harvesting

Outcome Harvesting determines whether and how an intervention has contributed to

change by collecting (‘harvesting’) evidence of what has changed (‘outcomes’). Unlike
traditional evaluation approaches, Outcome Harvesting does not ‘verify’ whether
predetermined objectives or outcomes have been achieved, but operates the other way
round: working backward, it starts from observable changes to determine whether and
how an intervention has contributed to these changes.

Complex situations

Outcome Harvesting is rooted in Outcome Mapping principles (actor-oriented

behavioural change) and it is especially useful in covering a wide variety of results when
a more specific ladder of change is difficult to construct. Outcome Harvesting has
proven its value in complex situations where changes are not linear but rather difficult
to predict, such as in lobby & advocacy or social change processes.

Plausible connection

At the core of Outcome Harvesting are actors (people, organisations, networks) as

drivers of change processes. Accordingly, outcomes are defined as behavioural changes
such as actions, relationships, policies or practices by one or more social actors
influenced by an intervention. As behaviour can be observed and measured, assessing
behaviour using this qualitative method has proven fruitful. Examples of outcomes
include a change in behaviour between organisations or between communities, changes
in regulations, formal laws or cultural norms. The outcomes can be positive or negative,
intended or unintended, direct or indirect. The data collection processes used are
specifically designed to capture both expected and unexpected outcomes. As a result,
Outcome Harvesting enables defining a plausible connection between the intervention
and these outcomes and provides a comprehensive and realistic picture of the actual
progress made.

Outcome Harvesting applies a broad spectrum of techniques to yield evidence-based

answers to the following questions:

 What happened?
 Who did it or contributed to it?
 How do we know this?
 Why is this important? What do we do with what we have found out?

[from Ricardo Wislon-Grau]

How does MDF work with Outcome Harvesting?

As a practice-oriented consultancy, MDF uses Outcome Harvesting as a component of

its evaluation services, which is especially useful in assessing long-standing cooperation
processes. In consultation with organisations, MDF operates as follows:

Depending on the demands and the context, MDF uses Outcome Harvesting flexibly and
in complementarity with Outcome Mapping.

MDF uses Outcome Harvesting as a participatory tool for learning purposes about the
change that actually took place, the way in which this change relates to the
intervention, and finally the implications for the strategic framework. Hereby, MDF
responds to the ambition of a growing number of organisations to inform discussions –
already within their review processes – about progress made against the background of
the initial strategic framework, as well as shaping recommendations on future
implementation and other strategic steps.