Developing MSC training materials…

The objectives and the process

This page is intended as a public record of the development of Most Significant Change (MSC) training materials.

The aim is that interested people should be able to contact those listed below (via email to Rick Davies, or use the Comment box below) to get copies of their MSC training materials, on condition that:

  • they adapt this material to their own needs,
  • they then make copies of that adapted training material available to others, by adding their names to this list (along with the supporting information about their use of the training materials)

The descriptions given below of how people (described as “adapters”) are using the MSC training materials will be developed, so that others can find materials that seem nearest to their needs. But, all users of these materials will be expected to make further adaptations. And, at some stage in the future I may add a Commentary on the materials produced by different adapters. PS: For those interested in the background, the design of this process has been influenced by this paper.

The adapters (so far…):

  • Kaia Ambrose, Monitoring, Evaluation and Organizational Learning Manager, Programme Agreement, International Operations, CARE Canada, +1.613.228.5655, Canada
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
      • Here’s how we’ll be using our adapted PPTs: The CARE Canada Programme Agreement will be gathering a group of project managers and M&E officers from CARE Country Offices to participate in a 5-day ‘telling the story’ workshop. We’ll be outlining different ways
        that projects can capture the change that happens in projects, both expected and planned for as well as unexpected and unplanned changes in order to tell a story of the social transformation process among key actors, project influence and support, and changes in project strategies and performance in order to support change. We will be looking at Most Significant Change as well as Outcome Mapping as tools to track change
        processes, or stories.
  • Nyarwaya Isaac, Managing Director, PM Associates, P.O.BOX 6866, Kigali, Rwanda, Tel. 08560622
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
      • PM Associates;….does training, consultancy, research and publication mainly in the area of Project Management. The firm will add MSC to its portfolio of trainings provided. These trainings will be targeted to staff in NGOs and other international organizations that would like to adapt the use of MSC
  • Gaziul Hassan Mahmood, Technical Adviser – Program Quality, Save the Children in PNG
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials
      • I will share the presentation I will prepare based on your resources. I will also share when I am planning that training.
  • Ivo Haenen, WASTE, Netherlands
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials
      • Use it as basis for training WASTE’s programme partners in Latin America, Asia and Africa ” WASTE works towards sustainable improvement of the urban poor’s living conditions and the urban environment in general
  • Taline Haytayan, Knowledge Sharing Advisor, International HIV/AIDS Alliance, UK.
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
      • “…to use MSC training material in our HIV AIDS Stigma and discrimination programme in a number of countries in Africa. We would like to adapt the MSC methodology in order to capture stories from stigma trainers, their experiences, lessons learned and changes encountered via the programme”
  • Emma Brathwaite, Technical Advisor Adolescent Health, Nossal Institute for Global Health, The University of Melbourne, 187 Grattan Street, Carlton, Melbourne, Victoria 3010, Tel: +61 3 8344-0909. Fax: +61 3 8344-9130
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
      • I am providing TA to Aceh Partnerships in Health (APiH) which has a number of theme areas (HIV, adolescent health, disability, mental health) and our in-country partners have expressed difficulties in monitoring change which is why MSC has been of interest. We are in the very early stages of this process so I would be very interested to look at these powerpoints.
  • Cecil Laguardia, Communications Manager/TD Communications Pilot Project, World Vision Asia Pacific Region, Mobile: +639184355243/ skype: cecil_laguardia, Bangkok
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
      • We followed the presentations according to the original documents but what we have strengthened is the actual community story-telling activity using the process to generate communications resources and look into the impact of the projects.
        I would be happy to receive new training materials from you. We still have several projects scheduled for training and it will be good for us to keep improving the process.
  • An Sokchea…. working in World Vision Cambodia as a Learning for Transformation (LfT) Technical Officer, Cambodia
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
      • My job responsibility is to learn about MSC and adapt it as a development tool for World Vision ministry. … [new training resources] would be helpful for me to understand more and to find the way to adapt/refine it in Cambodia context.
  • Dr Sani Aliou Assistant Country Director Programmes Concern Worldwide Rwanda Kigali, Rwanda
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: May 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
  • Ms Elizabeth REID, Visiting Fellow, Gender Relations Centre & Human Geography, Research School of Pacific and Asian Studies, Australian National University, Canberra
    • When they started adapting MSC training materials: June 2008
    • How they are using the MSC training materials:
  • Tim OShaughnessy, an Australian M&E specialist based in Fiji,
  • A.F.M. Nezam Uddin, Programme Officer: Planning, Monitoring & Knowledge Management, Save the Children, Sweden-Denmark, House: 9, Road:16, Gulshan: 1, Dhaka-1212, Bangladesh
  • Mike Idah, unknown organisation and location
  • Thomas K. Nyagah. I am the Design,Monitoring and evaluation officer, Christian Community services -ACK- KENYA.
    • We have used the MSC for 4 years now and fruits are rewarding. I have also trained many local NGO in Kenya.

How you can participate…

  • You can add your name to the list of adapters. If you want to do this then say so via the Comment box below, or email rick@mande.co.uk. I will then send you my PowerPoints for you to adapt
  • You can ask for copies of the PowerPoints adapted by the adapters listed above. If you want to do this then say so via the Comment box below, or email rick@mande.co.uk

Dont forget…

There is another MSC blog specifically dedicated to developing, sharing and improving different language translations of the MSC Guide, at http://mscguide-translations.blogspot.com/ . Work is in progress on translations into at least eight different languages.

The vision

From something like this

To something more like this

19 thoughts on “Developing MSC training materials…”

  1. I would like to adapt Rick’s presentation to train programme’s field staff. I will be ready to share my adapted presentation.

    Dr Sani Aliou
    Assistant Country Director Programmes
    Concern Worldwide Rwanda
    Kigali

  2. We (Save the Children) has adapted Rick’s training materials (in Bangla)in 2007. We are continuously trying to learn to adapt MSC in our M&E system. In this regard, the presentation will help us in preparing better presentation (or training materials) in next training. I will share those adapted version in MSC group.

    Regards

  3. I am the Design,Monitoring and evaluation officer,Christian Community services -ACK- KENYA.

    We have used the MSC for 4 years now and fruits are rewarding.
    I have also trained many local NGO in Kenya.

    Please i need to join this Vibrant group to review the MSC training Materials.
    Thanks.

    Tom

  4. Hi Rick,
    I would like to receive PowerPoints on MSC. I am involved in a small project and we would like to use MSC in our project. Thanks a lot
    Olive

  5. Hi Rick,

    I am interested in the MSC training materials you use – currently doing an evaluation for clients and will be training them to do a ‘mini-MSC’ style collection of stories from project participants.

    Happy to provide feedback on my adaptations to the materials.

    Jacqueline

  6. I would appreciate receiving the power points . I am an international development consultant for various funding agencies . I am based in the Philippines.

    I have encouraged my clients to use MSC . A national government agency would like to use MSC for developing a qualitative assessment for farmers and fisherfolks.

    We will share any adaptations or related materials we are able to develop.

    We would also appreciate any materials on training story tellers.

    All the best
    Carmen

  7. Dear Rick,

    I’m working in social sector for 10 years and found your methodology very efficient, attractive and simple to use.

    I’d like to use your method and need this MS Power Point presentation to have an adapted presentation for my colleagues involved in the community participation program. We’ve tested the methodology and found its effectiveness and focus on program impact for our country, its really important for us, ’cause the program implemented is an innovation and people are interested to learn how to improve continuously our community.

    Thanks in advance,
    Victor Banariuc
    Sr. Program Specialist
    Citizen Participation Program
    Republic of Moldova

  8. I am interested in adapting the training materials for use in our region, part of the Ministry of Children and Family Development in British Columbia. We have not used MSC, but have been looking for a technique just like it.

  9. Hi Rick,

    I am a VSO volunteer in Zambia working with Caritas Chipata as M&E Advisor and I am planning to adapt MSC when i conduct evaluation of their 2006-2008 strategic plan. However, rather than doing it on my own, i would like to train my colleagues on how to conduct MSC. I would be very happy to access the materials that you are willing to share.

    Thanks a lot.

    Aydel M. Salvadora
    M&E Advisor- VSO Volunteer
    Caritas Chipata
    Chipata, Zambia

  10. I would like to adapt Rick’s presentation to train programme’s field staff. I will be ready to share my adapted presentation.

    Temple Jagha
    Director – Monitoring and Evaluation
    USAID-Tatweer Project
    National Capacity Development in Public Management
    Baghdad, Iraq

  11. Dear Rick and others,

    I am interested in receiving latest materials (powerpoints, articles, guidelines) in MSC. I have been using MSC mainly in our PPME training (and some other training) and also developed a MSC guide for an international NGO working in Zambia. End of this month I will be facilitating a workshop on MSC and PV (participatory video) with an IFAD funded programme in Zanzibar, so also looking for sharing experiences in this area. Also, I would appreciate to receive the materials of the workshop that we as Wageningen International organised, and which was facilitated by you (Rick Davies) and Irene Guijt. I attended the workshop but can’t find the materials? Would be greatly appreciated. Thanks a lot in advance! And of course I am willing to share what I will be doing in Zanzibar.

    Kind regards / Hartelijke groeten,
    Cecile Kusters
    Participatory Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation
    Multi-Stakeholder Processes and Social Learning
    Wageningen UR, Wageningen International
    P.O.Box 88, 6700 AB Wageningen, the Netherlands
    Visiting address: Lawickse Allee 11,Building 425, 6701 AN Wageningen, The Netherlands
    Tel. +31 (0)317- 481407
    Fax. +31 (0)317- 486801
    e-mail: cecile.kusters@wur.nl
    Website: http://www.cdic.wur.nl/UK
    PPME resource portal: http://portals.wi.wur.nl/ppme/
    MSP resource portal: http://portals.wi.wur.nl/msp/
    http://www.disclaimer-uk.wur.nl

  12. Hi Rick,

    I am working as a Program Support Officer with Caritas Australia’s office in Cambodia. I participated in Clear Horizons training about MSC earlier this year and am wanting to put the theory into practice! I am interested in training my colleagues about how to use MSC for monitoring and developing case studies, and would appreciate access to your powerpoints. I would particulalry interested in learning more about how An Sokchea (World Vision Cambodia)has adapted MSC for World Vision Cambodia’s work.

    Cheers

    Lana

  13. Hi to all those above
    If you have not received copies of the powerpoint presentation from me, please email me at rick@mande.co.uk, or post another comment below
    apologies, rick davies

  14. Hi Rick
    I hope you are very well. I am deeply embedded in WaterAid at the moment.

    We are planning a workshop on equity and inclusion using MSC to elicit key learning from country programmes.

    Any powerpoints explaining the MSC methodology would be very useful.

    Also, are there any MSC materials/ guidelines or ppts in French or Portuguese?

    thanks very much. I hope you are enjoying the sporadically fine weather.

    best wishes
    Louisa

  15. Greetings Rick,

    I’d like to request a copy of your presentations. I’m working with Help Channel Burundi and we are planning to pilot an adaptation of MSC in our reforestation projects as a way to give more focus to social dynamics involved. Happy to share our innovations and eager to link up with others in the region, I see there are a couple people in Rwanda working with MSC. We are planning to integrate the use of digital video (PV) and would be interested to know if there are others doing the same in our neighborhood.

    Cheers,
    Nathan

  16. I would request for a copy of the presentations. I work with Oxfam and am based in India.

  17. I am supposed to apply for a position as middle term volunteer for a project organized by the Asia Europe Foundation Young Volunteers Exchange-Health on Stage Project. The the applicants are required to be knowledgeable in MSC, which unfortunately, I am not. It is regretful that i will be missing this chance to be involved in the project, which led me to ponder: MSC is already breaking ground even in culture focused project. I am interested to learn or be trained in MSC. can i have a copy of the necessary materials or training modules?

    I am an executive committee member of the National Commission for Culture and the Arts- National Committee on Cultural Education. Recently, we launched the summer institute for Cultural Workers, I think MSC should be included in the curriculum. Thank you very much.

    Leonardo Rey S. Carino
    Cultural Development Office
    Ramon Magsaysay memorial Colleges
    Pioneer Avenue, 9500 Gen. Santos City Philippines

    P.S. how can a workshop on MSC be organized in my school?

  18. Hi Rick, I am the Senior M&E advisor at world learning in washington, dc and am currently delivering an inhouse M&E training program for staff. A large part of World Learning’s portfolio involves USAID funded training and educational exchange programs for which “success stories” have been an accepted evaluation methodology for too long. In an effort to develop a more rigorous evaluation approach, I have explored your work on MSC and think this might be a valuable addition to our evaluation strategies. I would be grateful for any training slides/materials you have and, of course, would be more than willing to adapt and share. Looking forward to your reply.

  19. Hi Rick, I am the research assistant of PSI (Population Services International)in Russia. We have just submitted new one project and as method of M&E we are plan to use MSC. I need to conduct a training for our partners in other regions and it will be really great if i have a chance to use any training slides/materials you have and, of course, I will adapt it and share. Looking forward to your reply.

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