Build Your Measurement Framework
Now that you know how you’re integrating youth voices, you understand your context, and you’ve designed your program, the next step is to build a measurement framework.
Are you looking for data sources to inform your program design? Check out the toolkit section on context mapping for recommended resources!
If you’re new to Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL), or looking for general best practices in developing a measurement framework, here are a few robust resources we recommend:
- Section 4 of the US State Department’s Program Design and Performance Management Toolkit offers excellent, practical definitions, guidance, and case examples on the basics of monitoring and evaluation, including how to develop indicators, how to complete a monitoring plan, and how to plan for evaluations;
- USAID’s Project Starter has a section on Performance Management Plans (PMPs), which includes guidance and templates for performance indicators, baselines and targets, evaluation plans, and budgeting;
- USAID’s Learning Lab has toolkits for Monitoring, Evaluation, and Collaborating, Learning, and Adapting (CLA).
You can find additional guidance specific to youth programs in YouthREX’s Evaluation Toolkit for Youth Programs and the PYD Measurement Toolkit.
As you consider what indicators you will use to measure progress in your program, you can consult these resources for strong examples:
- These standard indicators for USAID programming include youth-specific indicators relevant for education, civic/political engagement, and leadership;
- The YouthPower PYD Measurement Toolkit offers a range of illustrative indicators aligned with the PYD domains and program features;
- YouthREX’s Youth Measures Inventory is a great resource for a variety of outcome measures in youth programming;
- As you explore our adaptable intervention models, you will see sample illustrative indicators for each intervention.
Don’t forget the “learning” part of monitoring, evaluation, and learning! Consider developing or adopting a learning agenda to guide your program over time, and find a learning community to engage with:
- The YouthPower2 PYD Learning Agenda is a great resource to inform your program learning;
- Not sure where to start with creating a learning agenda? This webinar recording from the International Youth Foundation reviews the basics on what a learning agenda is and how to develop one;
- IREX’s resource on youth-led networks in Kenya offers a great example of a learning agenda with proposed questions;
- Take a look at some of the communities of practice that are focusing on youth programming to see if there’s a good fit for you.
