Want to get better faster?

Learning from feedback helps us to continue improving.

If we regularly analyse feedback data, we can identify areas for experimentation and improvement while the program is still live in the field. We call this ‘Responsive Feedback.’

This website aims to get you started with responsive feedback. You will find:

  • The CURVE process: A simple 5-step process for Responsive Feedback
  • Get ready: A checklist of enabling factors that make implementing the process easier
  • Get started: An overview of key moments in the program lifecycle and how to take action
  • Case studies: Inspiring case studies with learnings for other practitioners
  • Resources: Practical tools and guidance to help turn theory into practice

Use the tool below to begin or find out more

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Testing family-based care messages for different audiences

Led by Results for Development (R4D) and Abt Associates, RF MERL worked with FCF implementers to test different components of behavior change campaigns quickly and iteratively.

Case Study

C: Convene stakeholders

Convene the stakeholders who need to work together to gather, analyse, and act on feedback.

Process

Using responsive feedback to iterate Theories of Change – NaijaCare

Responsive feedback mechanisms (RFMs) can be used to iterate and improve Theories of Change, not just implementation methods

Case Study

Adjusting intervention strategies using feedback

USAID‐funded Project Samvad used feedback to understand how best to increase mothers exposure to maternal and child health messaging.

Case Study

Writing a Terms of Reference

Set expectations for responsive feedback from the start

Get started

Writing a proposal

Build feedback into programs from the start.

Get started

Kick off meetings

Build responsive feedback into timelines and plans.

Get started

Inception Phase

Embed responsive feedback in program activities and measurement, evaluation and learning plans. Ensure that time and budget is dedicated to learning and adapting.

Get started

Formative research

Begin to discover valuable lessons from feedback.

Get started

Pause & Reflect meetings

Rally the team to reflect on what we can learn from feedback.

Get started

U: Uncover assumptions

In this step, we examine our beliefs about how we think our programs work, looking for assumptions and areas where we could benefit from learning more.

Process

R: Reveal learning opportunities

Now that we have identified areas to investigate, let’s write specific learning questions.

Process

V: Seek evidence

In this step, we seek feedback that can provide evidence to help answer our learning questions.

Process

E: Evolve

Now it’s time to learn and adapt. Take time to pause & reflect, study what feedback evidence is saying, and act on your conclusions.

Process

Status meetings

Ensure we are on track with plans to use responsive feedback, and have ‘quick hit’ pause & reflect sessions.

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Midline research

Use research as a mirror to see how we are doing and how we might do better.

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Endline research

Use research as a mirror to see how we are doing and how we might do better.

Get started

Turning tacit knowledge into explicit feedback using Net-Map

Net‐Map was used by The Challenge Initiative to rapidly seek and receive feedback on the current family planning context in Ogun State, Nigeria.

Case Study

Outlining clear decision-making frameworks

The (Re)Solve project: designing and testing innovative, user-centered solutions to accelerate the pace of contraceptive uptake among women and girls in Bangladesh, Burkina Faso, and Ethiopia. 

Case Study

Advocating for the use of Responsive Feedback Mechanisms (RFM) in the RASuDiN Project in Nigeria

CCSI used feedback throughout the RASuDiN project to help identify the motivations, abilities and triggers for their different target groups, and track how these changed over time.

Case Study

Download resources

Check out practical advice
and guidance to make
responsive feedback easier.

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