A Guide to Participatory Outcome-Focused Monitoring with Most Significant Change, Outcome Harvesting, and Outcome Mapping

This report aims to strengthen qualitative monitoring, specifically addressing commonplace gaps or weaknesses in the monitoring of complex development and humanitarian projects. It is primarily aimed at development and humanitarian professionals who design or manage monitoring and evaluation processes to support the design and implementation of qualitative monitoring using Most Significant Change (MSC), Outcome Harvesting (OH), or Outcome Mapping (OM), which are participatory, outcome-focused qualitative methods. This guidance can be used to support the design and implementation of monitoring exercises using MSC, OH, and OM. Specifically, it supports users in choosing among MSC, OH, and OM or blending elements from these approaches. Additionally, it provides practical tips and examples - including expertise gained during the two pilot qualitative monitoring activities conducted in Niger and Bangladesh - as well as other publicly available materials.

This report was made possible by a grant from the Implementer-Led Design, Evidence, Analysis and Learning (IDEAL) Activity. The IDEAL Small Grants Program is made possible by the generous support and contribution of the American people through the United States Agency for International Development (USAID).