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Transcript of Strengthening Network Practice Through Evaluation
JULY | 2015
@leadershipera #leadershipnet
Strengthening Network Practice Through Evaluation
Presented by: Madeleine Taylor and Anne Whatley
LLC anticipates the future and is a dynamic catalyst capable of creating a link from today’s issues in leadership development to tomorrow’s solutions.
(Donna Stark, The Annie E. Casey Foundation)
Network Research Application
LEADERSHIP LEARNING COMMUNITY
LEADERSHIP FOR A NEW ERA
The value of collective leadership networks is in their capacity to solve problems quickly in an environment of uncertainty and
complexity (Watts, 2004)
Newest Publication
Strengthening Network Practice Through Evaluation
Presented by: • Madeleine Taylor, Founder and CEO at Network Impact• Anne Whatley, Senior Consultant at Network Impact
TODAY’S PRESENTERS
Network Impact serves social-change agents with a mix of strategies, tools, research, and consulting expertise to design and use networks for increased impact www.networkimpact.org
Strengthening Network Practice Through Evaluation
July 15, 2015
Intended Audience• Changemakers who are or are considering using a network approach
to address a social challenge
What do we know about how to develop
and grow effective networks for change?
Why a Network?
Networks provide social change agents with a fundamentally distinct and remarkably promising “organizing
principle” to achieve ambitious goals. Net Gains 2006
Network Building is a Practice
• Network Start Up• Network Management
– Governance – Coordination– Communications– Financial Stewardship– Network Health
• Network Monitoring and Evaluation
About Network Impact•We serve social-change agents with a mix of strategies, tools, research, and consulting expertise to design and use networks for increased impact
Research & Tools: Clients include:
Why are you here?• What questions
do you have?• What would you
like to hear about today?
• Please enter questions into the chat. (or raise your hand )
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With our time today…
• Network basics• What makes a network thrive?• Network evaluation framework • Tools & Approaches to assess network
process and results
Anatomy of a Network
Core
Link Node
ClusterPeriphery
Hub
Illustration from Social Networks for Social Change, Monitor Institute 2010
Many specialized terms come from Social Network Analysis (SNA)
Generative Networks
Base of Connections
Members deliberately build, strengthen, and maintain ties so they can be activated again and again
Coalitions: Can be more or less formal, but are formed at particular historical moments focused on specific objectives. Often dissolve when the job is over (win or loss)
Evolution of Network Functions
Action
Alignment
Connectivity
Build stronger connections and trust: Share
knowledge; Create new knowledge systems and
resource channels; Develop understanding of systems
targeted for change
Align around common goals, values and standards
Engage in joint action for specific outcomes
Base of Connections
Network FunctionsConnectivity Alignment Action
Membership All comersNo eligibility rulesNo “barriers” (e.g., fees)
Some eligibility rulesFew “barriers” (e.g., fees)
Invitation onlyStricter eligibility rules
Key task of network “builder”
Weaving – help people meet each other, increase ease of sharing and searching for information
Facilitating – helping people to explore potential shared identity and value propositions
Coordinating – helping people plan and implement collaborative actions
Enabling Infrastructure
Web platform with networking tools for communications, documents
Capacity to analyze, compare, and synthesize frameworks, definitions, etc.
• Project management and project budgeting capacity
• Performance accountability mechanisms
• Value• Trust• Participation• Communication• Stewardship• Learning & Evolving
Conditions that make a network thrive include…
Network Evaluation Purposes & Benefits
NETWORK STRATEGY
Support strategic learning and continuous improvement.
ImpactInterim Outcomes
Examine network results or impact.
Ensure accountability for the use of resources.
Characteristics of Networks that Matter for Evaluation
• Networks have numerous players, many of whom enter and exit the network
• Networks are dynamic “moving targets” that adapt to changes in their context or changes among their membership
• It takes time to organize networks effectively and show results
• Networks have a “chain of impact”• Network shape and function matter
Network Dimensions
Connectivity• What can be
monitored:• Membership or the
people or organizations that participate in a network
• Structure or how connections between members are structured and what flows through those connections
Health • Resources or the
material resources a network needs to sustain itself (e.g., external funding)
• Infrastructure or the internal systems and structures that support the network (e.g., communication, rules and processes)
• Advantage or the network’s capacity for joint value creation
Results• Interim outcomes or
the results achieved as the network works toward its ultimate goal or intended impact
• The goal or intended impact itself (e.g., a policy outcome was achieved, a particular practice was spread, the community or its members changed in a certain way).
Social Network Analysis & Mapping
What? Social Network Analysis (SNA) is set of theories, tools, and processes for understanding the relationships and structures of a network
• Social relationships in SNA are represented as connections or links between “nodes”
• Nodes = people or organizations• Nodes may also represent ideas, issues or events
Why? Strategic learning and improvement - Understand and evaluate patterns of network connectivity that are difficult to decipher by other means
SNA answers questions like:
• Who is connected to whom and how? Who is not connected but should be?
• Has the network assembled members with the capacities needed to meet network goals (experience, skills, connections)?
• What is flowing through the network—information and other resources?
The arts world before Lana began to weave
• Map includes 496 players• Fragmented (both statistically and qualitatively); dependent on a few key connectors• Efficiency = 6.04 (goal is 3)• Resilience = 1.08% (goal is 20)
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Source: Barr Foundation
Purposeful approach to enhancing the network
Also (more dispersed on map):• Arts and sports showcase• Curriculum development initiative
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Community Dance Studio
Outreach Departments –
Visual Arts Colleges
Hyde Park Arts Initiative
Facilities Group Convening
Source: Barr Foundation
Network Mapping to Show Changes Over Time
2010
2011
Year # Density Avg # ties
2009 55 2.2% 1.2
2010 90 2.7% 2.4
2011 85 5.3% 4.5
2012 82 8% 6.88
2009
2012
CARN GPRPN
MRN MSN
NARP NURV
SWPRN Rural Assembly SC
Geographic Distribution of CARN connections to members of RPNs before WKKF grant (2006-2008)
CARN GPRPN
MRN MSN
NARP NURV
SWPRN Rural Assembly SC
Geographic Distribution of CARN connections to members of RPNs in March 2013
Measuring Cross-sector Connections Over Time
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Maps copyright © 2012 New Directions CollaborativeSource: Boston Green & Healthy Building Network, Beth Tener and Al Nierenberg, January 2008
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What is flowing between nodes?
•Durfee Foundation Stanton Fellowship awards two year grants to social change leaders in LA to think deeply and tease out solutions to intractable problems.
Before & After Led to New Thinking• Greatest increase,
>300%, connections that provided “information that led to new thinking or framing that has been useful...”
Did not respond to survey Name was not available on survey
n=27
Degree of connectivity
Post-Fellowship Connections By Cohort
• High level of connectivity between cohorts
• On average 70% of Fellows' connections were with Fellows from other cohorts.
Nodes sized by In-Degree and colored by type, Edges colored by fellow’s first or second priority
Did not respond to surveyn=27
Stanton Fellows and Priority Focus Areas
Resources
• NodeXL : a free network mapping software that works within Microsoft Excel
• Netdraw and UCINET: used by academics, free but a little harder to use
• Gephi : open source, no cost network visualization tool, tutorials
• Kumu.io : new, easy-to-use web-based tool, free to use if save map publically.
Network Health Monitoring Tools
What? Internal temperature check, insights into key dimensions of network
Why? • Clarify organizing principles that are fundamental to
network development • Provide practitioners with an overview of network
conditions to inform internal adjustments• Help guide technical assistance and professional
development opportunities • Triangulate other evaluation data
38
Network Health tools answer questions like:
• What are strengths and areas of growth for our network?
• Where are members seeing value?• What are the top priorities for members?
Network Health Scorecard22 questions to build a basic networkdiagnosis of strengths and areas of growth. www.networkimpact.org
Network Purpose
Network Performance
Network Operations
Network Capacity
Example: Southwest Rural Policy Network
Distributed the “network health scorecard” quarterly over 3 years.
Has been able to track its evolution relating to the purpose, performance, operations, and capacity around network activities.
Network Metrics Over Time
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Jun-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Feb-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 Feb-12 Jun-12
DateA
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co
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Purpose Performance Operations Capacity
The Evolution of a Regional NetworkThe Southwest Rural Policy Network (SWRPN) has been in development for over six years. Thirteen organizations representing the states of Arizona (7), and New Mexico (6) were funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation through an initiative called Rural People, Rural Policy (RPRP). RPRP’s specific purpose was to energize and equip rural organizations and networks to shape policy that will improve the vitality of rural communities and the lives of their residents.
The SWRPN has made great strides over the years in the development of its operational processes and performance. Through the use of a “network health scorecard”*, the SWRPN has been able to track its evolution relating to the purpose, performance, operations, and capacity around network activities. (*Arbor Consulting and Cause Communications)
:
Overview
Location of Network Members
Results
Conclusion
Results
Evaluation Method
Establishing a network made of up very diverse organizations takes time. There are many factors to consider that need to be monitored and addressed going forward if there is to be a sustainable and effective operating network.
Over the past six years, the SWRPN has been able to focus on policy efforts around economic development, health care, and the environment. The Network used the results of the scorecard to monitor its progress and work on areas needing improvement. All 13 organizations are committed going forward to have an impact on policy priorities affecting the rural communities of Arizona, New Mexico, and beyond.
Network Purpose Score
3.0
3.5
4.0
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5.0
Jun-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Feb-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 Feb-12 Jun-12
Date
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Network Purpose Score Trend Over Time
Network Performance Score
3.0
3.5
4.0
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5.0
Jun-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Feb-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 Feb-12 Jun-12
Date
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Network Performance Trend Over Time
Network Operations Score
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Jun-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Feb-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 Feb-12 Jun-12
Date
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Operations Trend Over Time
Network Capacity Score
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
Jun-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Feb-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 Feb-12 Jun-12
Date
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Network Capacity Trend Over Time
Network Metrics Over Time
3.0
3.5
4.0
4.5
5.0
Jun-09 Oct-09 Jan-10 Apr-10 Jul-10 Feb-11 Jun-11 Sep-11 Feb-12 Jun-12
Date
Av
era
ge
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tric
Sc
ore
Purpose Performance Operations Capacity
Strategic Plan developed
Three Action Teams formed
Project Funds received
Value added by working together
Inability to attract needed funds
Network communication with stakeholders needs to be enhanced
Competent and Stable Network Coordinator
Quarterly face-to face- meetings/other ongoing communication
Unequal contribution by existing members
Member skills present to advance goals
Member connections help to advance goals
Lack material resources to attain goals
Advancement in the Network Purpose made great strides over the past 2 years. Small funding support for specific projects helped members begin to focus directly on policy work. Coordinator turnover stabilized Network Operations. Network Performance and Network Capacity continues on a positive trajectory.
Distributed the “network health scorecard” at each quarterly face to face meeting to each person attending the meeting.
Collected data starting in June 2009 until June 2012 yielding 10 data points for each of the 22 statements.
Ranked each statement using a 5 point Likert Scale -1 being ‘Not so much’ to 5 being ‘Totally’.
Statements categorized as follows: Network Purpose (3 statements); Network Performance (9 statements); Network Operations (7 statements); Network Capacity (3 statements).
Joyce A. Hospodar, MBA, MPA, PI and Jennifer Peters, BA, Co-PI
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Resources
• ConnectingtoChangetheWorld.net• Network Evaluation Guide – Network Impact• Network Health Scorecard – Network Impact• Network Diagnostic – Monitor Group• Guide to Assessing Collective Impact - FSG
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