Lean Research: Strengthening Civil Society Networks in Jordan

Working as a Senior Evaluation Consultant with IREX, a global development and education organization, I get opportunities to engage in special projects across the globe. Earlier this year, I worked remotely to provide technical assistance with some brilliant staff based in Jordan and across the United States.

Using a lean research approach, we designed a stakeholder network analysis and surveyed 100+ participants in English & Arabic to determine the multi-directional connections making up a network of institutes within the King Hussein Foundation. What was learned from the data informed and supported institutional, fiscal, and programmatic decision-making regarding Civil Society engagement initiatives throughout Jordan.

Specifically, these 3 principles for strengthening networks emerged:

• Consider the quality of network connections, not just the quantity.
• Capacity development initiatives may be more transformative through networks.
• Prioritize network edges for growth. 

​What I loved about this project was that it was collaborative. My approach to collaboration centers relationships - where working across cultures, time zones, languages, lived experiences, and more enhances both the process and the outcome of the project. When each person on the team brings (and is welcomed to share) their unique skills, insights, and capabilities, together, these make up an agile whole greater than the sum of its parts.

Read more about this project and three principles for an evidence-informed learning agenda in this IREX brief.