ICTworks

When it comes to the impact and practice of our ICT4D work, we’re long on stories and short on evidence. My previous organization, SIMLab, developed Frameworks on Context Analysis and Monitoring and Evaluation of technology projects to try and tackle the challenge at that micro level.

But we also have little aggregated data about the macro trends and challenges of our growing sector. That’s led the Digital Impact Alliance (DIAL) to conduct an entirely new kind of data-gathering exercise, and one that would add real quantitative data to what we know about what it’s like to implement projects and develop platforms.

Please help us gather new insights from more voices

Please take our survey on the reality of delivering services to vulnerable populations in emerging markets using digital tools. We’re looking for experiences from all of DIAL’s major stakeholder groups:

• NGO leaders from the project site to the boardroom;
• Technology experts;
• Platform providers and mobile network operators;
• Governments and donors.

We’re adding to this survey with findings with in-depth interviews with 50 people from across those groups.

Please forward this survey!

We want to hear from those whose voices aren’t usually heard by global consultation and research processes. We know that the most innovative work in our space happens in projects and collaborations in the Global South – closest to the underserved communities who are our highest priority.

Please forward this survey to we can hear from those innovators, from the NGOs, government ministries, service providers and field offices who are doing the important work of delivering digital-enabled services to communities, every day.

It’s particularly important that we hear from colleagues in government, who may be supporting digital development projects in ways far removed from the usual digital development conversation.

Why should I take and share the survey?

We’ll use the data to help measure the impact of what we do – this will be a baseline for indicators of interest to DIAL. But it will provide a unique opportunity for you to help us build a unique snapshot of the challenges and opportunities you face in your work, in funding, designing, or delivering these services.

You’ll be answering questions we don’t believe are asked enough – about your partnerships, about how you cover your costs, and about the technical choices you’re making, specific to the work you do – whether you’re a businessperson, NGO worker, technologist, donor, or government employee.

How do I participate?

Please take the survey here. It will take 15-20 minutes to complete, and you’ll be answering questions, among others, about how you design and procure digital projects; how easy and how cost-effective they are to undertake; and what you see as key barriers. Your response can be anonymous.

To thank you for your time, if you leave us your email, we’ll share our findings with you and invite you into the conversation about the results. We’ll also be sharing our summary findings with the community.

We hope you’ll help us – and share this link with others.

Please help us get the word out about our survey, and help us gather more and better data about how our ecosystem really works.

By Laura Walker McDonald, founder of BetterLab.io