What exactly does Manage for Change offer?
A unified platform to automatically collect (online as well as offline) any type of project data (e.g. activity reports, financial data, etc.), process it online and share the dashboards across the organization as well as with the stakeholders, based on each stakeholder's specific needs.
What data collection tools are available?
Both quantitative and qualitative data can be collected using a variety of tools available in our platform:
- Reporting templates
- Online surveys
- Automated surveys (e.g. for when a program employs a large number of workstations used by project beneficiaries)
Can data be collected using mobile devices?
Yes. Our dedicated software is compatible with Windows, Android and iOS.
Can data be collected in areas with no internet, unreliable internet or expensive internet connection?
Yes. Our dedicated software allows data to be collected while offline. The collected data is stored locally on the device and it will be automatically uploaded on the manageforchange.com servers once the device is connected to the internet.
Which data input methods can be used on Manage for Change?
Manage for Change can collect data from reporting templates and from online surveys, both of which can be operated via mobile devices and workstations, with the possibility to embed surveys in a website (with the answers going straight to the Manage for Change servers).
Can Manage for Change collect input from a large number of workstations?
Yes. We did this with 9,760 workstations, located in 2,280 public libraries and everything went smooth - and that was done with a more rudimentary platform than the one we currently propose. You can read more about it here .
The same approach can be used for any project that uses public access computers (schools, universities, libraries, train stations, shopping malls).
Can someone share information with project stakeholders in an automated way?
Yes. It is possible to share information in real time:
- Charts (which can be tailored based on stakeholders’ needs)
- Dashboards (which can be tailored based on stakeholders’ needs)
- Any type of document/media which has been stored in the dedicated section of the account
What customization features are available?
Based on each project needs, there are multiple ways in which the portal can be customized:
-
Geo Location
With up to five levels, it allows data to be collected and analyzed based on geographical criteria. E.g. Continent/Country/Region/County/Locality/District, Country/Region/County/Locality/District/Activity type -
Classification attributes
Unlimited number of parameters/characteristics by which data can be categorized, and which can be used in further analysis. E.g.: which cities are county capitals, population, average rain fall, average salary, life expectation, or anything else relevant for the project work. The attributes can be defined for each of the above five geo location levels.
Also, custom classifications can be created and employed simultaneously with the geo-location, via cross-classification filtering.
- User groups
Based on specific work requirements, skills or data needs, the users can have different privileges in regards to data input, data visualization, data download, charts design, dashboards design, data sharing, etc. E.g. some members of the staff may need access to manipulate some specific data while being prevented from manipulating or even visualizing other data, or there may be scenarios where only certain members of the staff should be allowed to edit some data while other members of the staff should only see that data, etc. Any work scenario can be implemented to optimize the workflow of an organization. - Charts
Using the above-mentioned geolocation and attributes as filtering criteria, users with the required prerogatives can create and share charts. The charts can be "frozen" at the time of creation or can be updated in real time with the latest data. - Dashboards
Users with the required prerogatives can create dashboards for sharing the data across the organization or even outside the organization (e.g. with the stakeholders). - Info charts
Based on specific clients’ needs (communication, advocacy, marketing, etc.) we can create tailored info charts which can be periodically updated with new data
What is needed to manage an account?
A person familiar with managing web based interfaces; M&E experience is useful, but not a necessity. We can help training and coaching that person, or we can take care of those tasks for limited time (or even for the entire duration of the project).
What other type of assistance can ManageforChange.com offer?
We can help any organization or consultant in several ways:
- Training/assistance/coaching in account management
- We can do the account management ourselves, for limited (or unlimited) time
- Training/consulting in planning and implementing M&E strategy using the tools on ManageforChange.com
- We can do the M&E work for our partners
How about GIS?
GIS implementation is possible - in fact we have created a proprietary GIS engine which allows us to map data over a multitude of maps. However, our experience taught us that projects employing GIS have rather specific requirements, so this is an optional case-by-case implementation.
Can we track performance indicators? What about outputs and outcomes?
Of course, any type of data can be collected and processed. It all depends solely on one's experience in designing the right questions, and/or using the right formulas, to reach the expected output. For more details please contact us.Can existent data be imported?
Yes. Usually, it is necessary to perform some preparation to get the data in a format that can be ingested by the portal, but we can demonstrate how to do that or we can do it upon request.
Can the data be exported?
Yes. It will be exported in CSV format and so it can be used in Excel or in any other dedicated statistical software.
What calculation can be performed online?
Basic mathematical operations can be performed (sum, subtraction, divide, multiply, percentages).
It is possible to introduce in the formulas some data (e.g. total population, average salary, etc.) for further calculation
It is possible to create new formulas based on specific needs
Is it possible to synchronize the account with external database(s)?
Yes. However, given that there are so many ways of storing data, first it is necessary to make an audit of the respective databases and their functioning model to determine the most efficient approach.
Who can access and operate the organization’s account on ManageforChange.com?
Anyone designated by your organization.
At the same time there are many types of possible user roles that can be defined, and here a few examples:
- Admin - one or more individuals
- Team managers/project managers – they can cover different areas and/or different activities/projects. They can have prerogatives to introduce data, visualize data, and/or edit data.
- Team members - can only input data. Some of them might have the prerogatives to visualize data (their own data, data from their department, or data from other departments).
- Stakeholders - can only input data. Some of them might have the prerogatives to visualize data. There can also be stakeholders' accounts to only visualize the data (charts, dashboards, info sheets), but without any privileges to interact with the data.