Outcome Mapping
Outcome Mapping is a planning, monitoring and evaluation methodology developed by the International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and set out by Sarah Earl, Fred Carden and Terry Smutylo in 2001. It redefines results as changes in the behaviour, relationships, activities and actions of the people and organisations a program works with directly — its 'boundary partners' — rather than as downstream development impacts. By focusing on the behavioural changes a program can plausibly influence, Outcome Mapping addresses the attribution problem head-on and shifts evaluation toward learning and contribution.
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Sources
- Earl, S., Carden, F., & Smutylo, T. (2001). Outcome Mapping: Building Learning and Reflection into Development Programs. Ottawa: International Development Research Centre (IDRC). ISBN: 9780889369597
How to cite this page
ScholarGate. (2026, June 22). Outcome Mapping for Development Program Planning and Evaluation. ScholarGate. https://scholargate.app/en/public-policy/outcome-mapping
Which method?
Set this method beside its closest kin and read them side by side — the library lays the books on the table; the choice is yours.
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- Most Significant ChangePublic Policy↔ compare
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- Theory of Change EvaluationPublic Policy↔ compare