Aleph Notes #6: Outcome Harvesting

In our work at Aleph, we often find that evaluating cultural programmes is more challenging than other types of programmes because the intended (and unintended) impacts are often highly intangible in nature. More often than not, traditional metrics and indicators of change are inadequate.

We employ a diverse range of qualitative tools to understand programme impacts. One such technique is that of outcome harvesting. Outcome harvesting departs from the rigid criteria of conventional evaluations, relying on real-life case studies, stories and narratives from the field extracted through conversations with programme stakeholders. It avoids rigid and overly simplistic top-down reporting frameworks, and instead creates space for programme participants to lead the conversation.

This makes it a powerful evaluation tool for cultural programmes, which generate subtle, qualitative changes that quantitative measures may not accurately account for. Through stakeholder engagement and participatory processes, outcome harvesting generates an impact narrative centred on those who were involved in the programme.  

We encourage funders and implementers of cultural projects to adopt similar approaches to designing impact measurement frameworks and methods for their work.