Assessment of Team Learning

Assessment of learning refers to evaluating what stakeholders have

learned about the issue and how that learning translates into action.

Steps of Identifying Assessment Team

1. Secure buy-in and commitment

The goal is to ensure that all stakeholders involved are aligned and
committed to the assessment process. This step is essential for the
successful implementation of assessments as it builds trust and a shared
understanding of the purpose and goals of the assessments. Through
secure buy-in and commitment, advocates ensure that:

 Stakeholders not only understand the problem but are also

prepared to act on the knowledge.
 Learning from the problem analysis leads to practical steps toward
solving the problem, ensuring that advocacy efforts are grounded
in both awareness and action.
 secure buy-in and commitment is crucial for moving from
understanding the problem to addressing it effectively, as it
transforms stakeholder interest into active participation in
advocacy initiatives.

2. Form preparation team to identify goals and 1st steps.

A form preparation team plays a crucial role in advocacy and

lobbying by ensuring that goals are clearly identified and understood
during problem analysis.

Establishing the Team; Composition: The team should include

individuals with diverse expertise, including policy analysts,
communication specialists, and field experts. Roles and
Responsibilities: Clearly define each member's roles, such as data
collection, stakeholder engagement, or analysis.
 3. Create structure for planning process.
This ensures that the team is equipped with the necessary expertise,
resources, and roles to effectively understand and address the issue at
hand.
You should define the purpose and scope of problem analysis; define the
goals of problem analysis, Determine the scope and scale of the
problem. Is it local, national, or international?
Identify the skills and expertise required;  Policy analysis  Legal
expertise  Research and data analysis  Communications and public
relations  Community engagement.
Assign clear roles and responsibilities;
 Lead Analyst: Oversees the problem analysis process.
 Research Coordinator: Gathers and reviews relevant data, studies,
and policy documents.
 Policy Specialist: Focuses on the legislative and regulatory
dimensions of the problem.
 Community Liaison: Engages with affected communities or groups
to ensure their perspectives are considered.
4. Identify potential barriers and facilitators to success.
When assessing team learning during problem analysis in the context of
advocacy and lobbying, several barriers and facilitators can influence the
success of the assessment. Here are some key potential factors:

Barriers to Success

1. Diverse Team Perspective; Teams composed of individuals from

different professional or cultural backgrounds may face challenges
aligning their views. Conflicting perspectives can lead to
communication issues, slowing the problem analysis process.
2. Limited Knowledge and Skills; A lack of understanding of
advocacy and lobbying strategies or insufficient problem analysis
skills may inhibit the team’s ability to critically assess and learn
from each other.
3. Time Constraints: Advocacy and lobbying efforts are often time-
sensitive, which can limit the time available for thorough
reflection, learning, and feedback on problem analysis.

Facilitators to Success

1. Clear Objectives and Roles: When team members have well-

defined roles and clear goals, the problem analysis process
becomes more structured, facilitating better collaboration and
learning.
2. Strong Communication Skills: Open and effective communication
channels, including regular check-ins and transparent discussions,
enhance team learning by ensuring all voices are heard.
3. Shared Knowledge base; Having a common understanding of key
advocacy concepts and strategies allows the team to operate from a
shared framework, supporting a more cohesive learning
environment.

4. Identify orientation and training needs of team members.

Ensure that the team has the necessary skills, knowledge, and
perspective to effectively address issues, propose solutions, and
influence decision makers.

Assess the current skill sets and knowledge levels such as

qualifications and competencies [individual
interviews/survey/background checkup].

Evaluate understanding of advocacy and lobbying frameworks such

as orientation in advocacy [building alliances, creating campaigns].
 Orientation in lobbying techniques; direct communication with policy
makers, policy analysis, policy briefs.]

Conduct Assessment as per SOPs

1. Set Ambitious but Realistic Goals

 Define clear objectives for what you want to achieve through your
advocacy and lobbying efforts.
 These goals should push your team towards meaningful outcomes,
but still be attainable within your resources and timeline.

2. Ensure Expectations are Reasonable

 Align your team’s expectations with available resources, time, and

external factors like political or organizational limitations.
 Unrealistic expectations may lead to frustration and failure.

3. Treat Assessment as a Shared Responsibility

 Ensure that everyone involved in the advocacy work understands

that assessment is part of their role.
 This creates a sense of ownership and accountability within the
group.

4. Review Assessment Tools Collectively

 Regularly review the tools and methods you are using for
assessment as a team.
 Check whether they are gathering the right data and offering the
insights you need for decision-making.

5. Make a Budget for the Assessment

  Set aside financial resources for the assessment process. This
includes costs for data collection, tools, and potentially hiring
external experts.
 Budgeting ensures that your efforts are sustainable.

6. Communicate Clearly

 Open and continuous communication is essential among all

stakeholders.
 Keep everyone updated on progress, findings, and next steps,
ensuring transparency and trust throughout the process.

7. Create a Systematic Process for Gathering Data

 Develop a clear and structured method for collecting information

relevant to the problem.
 Ensure the process is standardized to collect consistent and
accurate data.

8. Work Within the Constraints of the Current System

 Acknowledge the limitations of the existing political,

organizational, or societal systems.
 Adapt your assessment approach to operate effectively within these
boundaries while still working towards your goals.

9. Involve the Right People in the Assessment

 Identify key stakeholders, including internal team members,

external experts, and beneficiaries.
 Involving the right people ensures diverse perspectives and
expertise, enriching the assessment.

10. Respect and Empower People

 Show respect for everyone involved in the assessment process,

including staff, partners, and the communities affected.
  Empower individuals by valuing their input and giving them roles
in decision-making.

11. Set Priorities

 Given that not every issue can be addressed immediately, prioritize

the most urgent or impactful problems.
 Focus your advocacy and lobbying efforts on high-priority areas to
ensure maximum impact.

12. Consult the Assessment Committee (if applicable)

 If your organization has an assessment committee, seek their

guidance to review processes and tools.
 Leverage their experience and knowledge to improve the quality
and accuracy of the assessment.

By following these steps, you’ll be able to conduct a structured,

thorough, and inclusive assessment to support your advocacy and
lobbying efforts.

Problem Analysis in Advocacy and Lobbying: Findings as per SOPs

When conducting a problem analysis within advocacy and lobbying, the

standard operating procedures (SOPs) guide the process to ensure a
structured and effective evaluation. Below is a step-by-step explanation
of the process, with an emphasis on presenting, analyzing, and
recommending changes based on the findings

. Present Data in Relation to Program Goals and Objectives

The first step involves presenting the collected data in alignment with
the goals and objectives of the advocacy or lobbying program. This data
should reflect how well the program has addressed its intended purposes.
The following aspects are key:
 1. Clarification of Program Goals and Objectives: Clearly outline
what the program set out to achieve.
o Example: If the program aimed to influence policy change,
the goals should specify which policies were targeted and
what outcomes were desired.
2. Relevance of Data: Ensure the data presented is directly linked to
these goals and objectives.
o Example: For an advocacy campaign aimed at public health
reform, data on policy changes, public awareness, and
stakeholder engagement should be presented.
3. Organization of Data: Categorize the data according to the
objectives to provide clarity and make it easier to identify gaps or
successes.
o Example: If the objective was to increase public
participation in decision-making, data on public engagement
activities and turnout should be emphasized.

2. Use Qualitative and Quantitative Methods for Balanced Assessment

A comprehensive assessment of the goals requires a balanced approach,

combining qualitative and quantitative data to create a full picture of the
program's effectiveness.

1. Quantitative Data: This involves measurable outcomes that

demonstrate numerical success.
o Example: Statistics on the number of policies influenced, the
number of stakeholders involved, or public outreach figures.

2. Qualitative Data: This includes more subjective data that provides

context and depth to the numerical findings.
o Example: Testimonials from stakeholders, case studies,
interviews, or focus group findings that describe the
program's impact.

3. Balancing the Data: By combining both methods, a more holistic

view of the program’s performance can be achieved. Quantitative
 data shows "what" happened, while qualitative data explains "why"
or "how" those outcomes were realized.

3. Develop Recommendations Based on Analysis

After analyzing the findings in relation to the goals and objectives, the
next step is to develop actionable recommendations. These should be
based on identified gaps, challenges, and opportunities.

1. Data-Driven Recommendations: Ensure recommendations are

supported by the data and analysis.
o Example: If the analysis shows that public engagement was
low, recommendations might include enhancing public
communication strategies or employing digital platforms to
reach broader audiences.

2. Alignment with Goals: Recommendations should aim to address

unmet objectives or enhance areas where success has been noted.
o Example: If the program successfully influenced policy but
lacked public buy-in, recommendations could focus on
increased public awareness campaigns.

3. Practical and Measurable Changes: Suggestions should be

realistic, actionable, and measurable, providing clear pathways for
the program to improve.
o Example: Recommend specific actions such as increasing
funding for lobbying efforts or hiring experts in key areas
that were identified as weak.

Conclusion

By following the SOPs for problem analysis in advocacy and lobbying,

the findings can be structured into a coherent framework that relates
directly to the program’s goals and objectives. A balanced assessment
using both qualitative and quantitative methods ensures a comprehensive
understanding, while data-driven recommendations help chart the path
for future program enhancements.