Digital Evaluation Stories: A Case Study of Implementation for Monitoring and Evaluation in an Australian Community Not-for-Profit

Abstract

The merit of narrative film methods to support participatory approaches and professional development has been increasingly demonstrated by research in several fields and education. However, the use of digital storytelling and other film methods in evaluation remains largely unchartered territory. This article provides a case study of a digital storytelling evaluation initiative in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) in an Australian community not-for-profit. The aim is to offer practical insights for evaluators and organizations considering digital storytelling and other film narrative methods for participant-centered evaluation. Embedding digital evaluation stories into M&E evolved through collaboration between the external evaluation team and organizational leadership, requiring capacity building in evaluation, digital and qualitative methods, and new systems and processes. Benefits include transformation into a participant-centered evaluation and learning culture. Several challenges are discussed, including the extent of organizational change required, the associated time, energy, and cost, and the positive bias of visual narratives.