Institutional Learning and Change Initiative

The following text is drawn from Guijt and Woodhill  (2002).

Historical trends and timelines

The purpose of this method is to obtain a historical understanding of sequential changes that have occurred, relating to particular points of interest. From an M&E perspective, this could focus on specific indicators, be used as triggers in discussions to assess if certain changes can be attributed to project activities, and list changes in the context that help explain possible effects of the project.

Historical trend lines show changes from one year to the next and, therefore, provide a good means of tracking longer-term changes. This method can stimulate a valuable discussion about the speed and extent of positive and negative changes, why a situation is as it is and why different groups or individuals hold the views they do. This method provides a human dimension to data.

However, it only provides general insights and details will need validation.

Historical trends/timelines differ from seasonal calendars method in that they show a sequence of activities or progressive change, while seasonal calendars illustrate cyclical changes.

Source: Guijt, I. and J. Woodhill (2002). Managing for Impact in Rural Development : A guide for project M & E. Rome, Italy: International Fund for Agricultural Development http://www.ifad.org/evaluation/guide/index.htm