so you want to write a good success story
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So you want to write a good Success Story. Oct 25, 2013 Presentation Skills Workshop Sorrel Brown Program Evaluation ANR Extension. How is your program making a difference?. The story to tell. Not what you do. What happens because of what you do. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
So you want to write a goodSuccess Story
Oct 25, 2013Presentation Skills Workshop
Sorrel BrownProgram EvaluationANR Extension
How is your program making a difference?The story to tell.Not what you do. What happens because of what you do.
This workshop will increase your ability to …
Determine if a story is worth telling
Recognize necessary elements
Use verbs that describe outcomes
Infer public value
The 3 RsRelevance
Response
Results
The 3 Rs … PlusPublic Value is …
How the general public benefits
How changed conditions make a larger difference
A good story shows why it’s worth tellingSituation: Hog and dairy prices
plummeted substantially in 2008 and 2009. The price rise of grain increased costs of production, especially for fertilizer and land.
Because Extension conducted workshops on the Farm Financial Planning Program, farmers acquired the knowledge and skills to evaluate the impact of alternative farm plans on their farm business.
From Situation to Results
Okay, but…
Farmers are better able to evaluate the impact of alternative farm plans on their farm business using knowledge and skills gained through using the Extension Farm Financial Planning Program.
Survey results show that …
Better, but…
Farmers who attended the X workshop are making better decisions regarding the risk of alternative farm plans by evaluating their impact on the farm business through the knowledge and skills gained from the Extension Farm Financial Planning Program.
Survey results show that …
Much stronger …
Title attention-gettingChanges
RelevanceResults
Public value
Parts of a Success Story
Use Title to pull in readersFarm Financial Planning Program
Better Economic Decisions with the Farm Financial Planning Program
Increased Dairy Efficiency with the Farm Financial Planning Program
Show a Meaningful Change
Measurable objectives
Target audience
Evaluation results
Anecdotal quotes
Signify change or comparisonMeasurable
Increase … Strengthen … Adopt … Expand … Reduce … Decrease … Improve
Active Verbs
Ok for OutputsConduct … Carry out … Establish … Present … Provide … Educate … Inform … Produce … Develop … Create … Design … Train
Not for Outcomes
Descriptive Verbs
Outcome Example
Developed a field reference that provides descriptions and images of the more common weeds in Iowa. What you did, not what changed or who benefited and how.
Outcome - BetterSurvey results showed corn and sb producers’ who attended X workshop improved their ability to recognize common weeds in Iowa using a field reference that provides descriptions & images and can be easily carried into the field.
Outcome – Even BetterIncreased corn and sb producers’ profitability through better decisions for weed management. Participants in X program are now able to recognize common weeds in Iowa using a field reference that provides descriptions & images & can be easily carried into field.
Broader ImplicationsBy making better decisions about investing in production inputs regarding common weeds using the Extension field guide, corn and sb producers in Iowa are more likely to limit their chemical applications in the environment.
So what? = Relevance FactorPrioritiesNeedsInvestment
EnvironmentProblem-focusedStakeholders
Outcomes – Good, but…Survey results revealed that as a consequence of the education participants received at X Extension meetings, they took the following actions to increase their profitability…
One family now checks the market daily for pricing opportunities. So what?
One producer had a basis contract on 45,000 bu of corn for the 1st time.
So what?
One producer noted a gap in both corn & sb and purchased a put option contract to take advantage of the opportunity for the 1st time.
So what?
MG across Iowa embraced the online hours reporting system. So what?Better, but not quite there…
X MGs surveyed in 2010 say they will use the new online reporting system to record hours so that …
What’s the real benefit?
Much Better
Summaries provided by the new MG online reporting system show [list benefits important to the public].
ANR team reportsBoard of Regents reportsFederal reportsRegional stakeholder reportsVarious Extension communicationsTo create a collective impact story
Using your Success Story
OutcomesLEARNING ACTIONS
CONDITIONS
PUBLIC VALUE Awareness created Behavior changed Improved conditions for public
Knowledge gained Decisions made New standard or benchmark for:·enterprise·environment·society·sustainability·quality of life
Problems identified New practices implemented
Attitudes shifted Recommendations adopted Positive economic effect
Incentives created Profitability increased Revitalized community
Skills learned
Cumulative across various activities within a program that lead to changes for a broader audience
Collective Impact !
Outcome Indicators for Condition Changes
The approaches used to seek stakeholder input were appropriate and described well.
Outputs and outcomes are presented clearly and are quite extensive.
Details of evaluation are also provided.
NIFA Comments on ISUEO 2012 Annual Report
Public Value Changed Conditions
Can Extension claim credit ?
Narrows information gapOne person’s participation benefits many Generates engagement in public issuesThread to link your program to bigger picture
Public Value
Broader outcomes because of Extension education
Influence …Contribute ...
Are a factor in ...Play a part in …
Promote …Add to …
Educated producer concerning the value of improving sow longevity in their herds.
Used spreadsheet tools developed to show economic impact that improving sow longevity could have.
Used educational posters/presentations to show producer how sow longevity can be improved through proper gilt selection.
Outcomes – Desired Change?
Increased profitability of X hog producers who participated in Y workshop through their understanding and use of spreadsheet tools that calculate economic benefit of improving sow longevity through proper gilt selection.
Outcomes – Desired Change
Animal welfare has improved to the point where sows now remain in the breeding herd longer.
So what that sows remain in the breeding herd longer?
Outcomes – Public Value?
Don’t assume public knows anything about your discipline.
Describe benefits from public’s perspective.
Outcomes – Public Value?
Survey results (n=250) showed …• Internet links were used by 98% of
participants• 74% shared what they learned• Information used to make decisions • Increased profits/acre from information• IA acres impacted in the tens of
thousands
What’s the Public Value in this story?
Outcome
Extension’s program on X contributed to sharing information about Y that impacted tens of thousands of Iowa acres.
Information provided by Extension was used to make decisions by almost all participants and increased their profits/acre, thereby stimulating the local economy.
Better farming decisions helps producers stay economically viable, resulting in a more vital rural community.
Public Value Statement – Example
Iowa farmers increased production efficiencies to lessen negative environmental impact.
Track specific production efficiencies in target audience over time to show a condition change.
Results that affect Conditions – Ex.
Increased incomes for producers have a ripple effect on their local community. Using Integrated Pest Management recommendations by Extension reduces the impact of chemical products on the local environment (better recreation sites? safer for children?)
Results that affect Conditions – Ex.
Title that catches attentionChanges that occurredRelevance to issueResultsPublic value (if possible)
Parts of a Success Story
determine if a story is worth telling?recognize verbs that describe outcomes?better understand how to gauge public value?show program relevance to a public issue?
How confident are you to …
