Creating the missing feedback loop

This article, written by Alex Jacobs for the IDS Bulletin describes how agricultural development organisations can create feedback systems that allow them to hear from the beneficiaries of their work.

It goes on to outline a number of examples in order to demonstrate some of the ethical issues, practical issues and management incentives that developing feedback loops will raise.

Abstract

"This article describes how agricultural development agencies can implement feedback systems to hear systematically from the intended beneficiaries of their work. Feedback systems relate to debates on reforming accountability, participatory monitoring and evaluation and social accountability. Based on reasoning and the best available evidence, the article argues that in most projects, quantified summaries of smallholder farmers’ views can be collected. The data can provide real-time performance indicators which create incentives for staff to focus on the priorities of intended beneficiaries. If acted on, this can improve impact and sustainability. Feedback processes can also be inherently empowering. Leading examples are discussed as are three major challenges: ethical issues, practical issues and management incentives. The article concludes that feedback systems can create an organisational link between participatory processes and management systems. As such, they can make a substantial contribution to improving performance." (Jacobs, 2010)

Sources

Jacobs, A. (2010). 'Creating the Missing Feedback Loop', IDS Bulletin, Volume 41, Issue 6, pages 56–64. Retrieved from: https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1111/j.1759-5436.2010.00182.x

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