Learning for Impact Cycle
Friday Learning Notes
At Omidyar Network, we operate in complex systems that are constantly evolving, and we’re making early bets on innovations. Developing learning and feedback cycles enables us to do our work better and to deliver more impact.
In our first Friday Learning Note we introduced the metaphor of cultivating an award-winning orchard as the approach we’re taking in building a learning organization. Next we are going to share how we define our Learning for Impact Cycle.
Building an effective learning cycle has nothing to do with the cycles illustrated above but everything to do with the cycle illustrated below.
The Learning for Impact Cycle has four elements:
- Smarter Strategies — Good impact assessment depends on good strategy.
We do this by working to understand and listen to the system. A good strategy begins with trying to develop a deep understanding of the system we are engaging with, listening to the people being impacted, and clarifying the change we intend to contribute.
This involves incorporating a systems view (often with system mapping).
By identifying leverage points where you think you can make a difference in the existing system, you can develop a theory of change.
The theory of change is used to construct a results framework that identifies metrics (including an “uber metric”) for system change and the interim results leading to this change. These metrics can be monitored and reviewed regularly.
Smart strategies can be further developed by clarifying learning questions — these clearly articulate learning goals and incorporate input from a wide variety of external sources, ensuring the voices of the people we intend to serve are truly heard.
2. Hypothesis-Driven Investing — Every investment is like an experiment that tests our understanding of the system and how to affect it.
Once strategies have been identified we develop compelling hypotheses about how an investment will create impact.
Integral to this step is ensuring the right metrics and data are collected that can influence decision making.
3. Systematic Reflection — Reality is almost always different from what you can expect or predict. By exploring the difference between our hypothesis and what happened, we learn most effectively.
Reflection allows us to adjust and broaden our understanding of the systems we are trying to change.
4. Derived Insights — Once we have reflected on our own activities, it’s critical to complement our insights with input from others. These insights then feed back into updating our strategies and the cycle repeats itself.
How could integrating a learning cycle enhance your work?
We believe that evaluation must be in the service of learning and, in turn, learning must be in service of increasing impact (not just for learning’s sake).
In my role as Omidyar Network’s senior director of learning and impact, I lead our team in supporting activities that ensure this cycle gets embedded into our processes and culture — that this becomes part of our DNA and includes everyone at our firm.
I encourage you to incorporate learning cycles into your own life. A good place to start is asking these questions:
- How can you build your learning capacities?
- What feedback, information, and knowledge would help you make better decisions?
- What are the most important feedback loops for you in your organization?
Feel free to share your thoughts or questions in the comments section.
#AlwaysLearning
Roy
“I don’t think much of a man who is not wiser today than he was yesterday”
Abraham Lincoln
Our Friday Learning Notes series is designed to share insights from Omidyar Network’s journey to become a best-in-class learning organization. Grab a cup of coffee and start your own Friday morning learning journey! *warning: side effects of regular reading may include improved mood, upswing in dinner party conversation, and/or increased desire to cultivate learning for social impact
