The core of MSC
The Most Significant Change (MSC) technique is a storytelling technique. It focuses on the lived experiences of those involved in and/or targeted by a certain intervention by asking them to share stories. Stories about how that intervention brought about changes in their lives – which can be both positive and negative.
The technique was developed by Rick Davies in the mid-1990s, to address challenges in the monitoring and evaluation of a complex development intervention in Bangladesh. Since its invention, MSC has been through various adaptations but remains a flexible and easy to use method that can be applied in Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning (MEL) activities, and when conducting (social) research.
At its core, there are three key elements: the collection (1) and systematic selection (2) of stories of change, and a feedback loop (3) that continues throughout the MSC process. The common thread in these core steps is to discuss and select which of the lived experiences reported is the most significant – and why. This ‘why’ question is particularly relevant: it challenges storytellers and story selection-participants to discuss the value of the changes reported. To analyse and formulate their thought process and engage in deeper conversation about why they believe a change to be (most) significant.
Why work with the MSC technique
MSC is particularly useful in situations where you need to collect data on indicators related to social change that are difficult to measure. It also offers the opportunity to unveil the unexpected outcomes of a programme, instead of just expected pre-defined outcomes. Uniquely, the MSC technique:
- Helps discover how and when change comes about. When working on complex, multi-factor issues, such as gender, inclusiveness, and equality, MSC can provide rich information about the development of changes in individual and community settings.
- Lends itself well to addressing sensitive topics, such as Violence Against Women. If executed well, it creates an open, safe space for the voices of those involved and affected by a programme, providing insight into their lived experiences.
- Includes an important learning & capacity building component. MSC helps different stakeholders to understand each other’s values regarding positive and negative change brought about by a programme. Moreover, it encourages participants to reflect on their own thought processes. Furthermore, MSC offers the opportunity for capacity building of programme staff, strengthening their skills in data collection and analysis.
The flexibility of MSC
- MSC focuses on the “outer edges” of experience, rather than the overall performance of the programme, or generalisations about the most common experiences. Consequently, it should not be used as a stand-alone method.
- However, the technique lends itself perfectly to being combined with other (participatory) methods. Not only with the more conventional (qualitative) M&E and research methods, but also with innovative visual storytelling methods, such as Photovoice, Participatory Video, or Outcome Harvesting.
- Using the MSC technique takes time, money, and a certain level of (facilitation) skill to implement. However, the method is adaptable and can be adjusted per context and/or budget. You can design a more elaborate MSC activity or choose to strip the method down to its core elements. Similarly, MSC can be implemented in several locations, across different levels - or even countries - or on a (much) smaller scale, in a local community.
What makes MSC participatory?
Despite its flexibility, to call the method ‘true MSC’ and to have it live up to its promise of participation and inclusiveness, its three key elements need to be implemented:
- In the Collection phase significant change stories are collected among those people who are directly involved and/or affected by a programme. This often means the programme’s target group(s) and project staff. Their lived experiences regarding changes brought about by the programme are the key element for the rest of the process.
- During the Selection phase(s), which can be conducted in various ways, groups of stories of change that were collected are ‘filtered up’ through different levels of selection. At each level, the stories are reviewed and discussed, and each group answers the question of which of the stories is most significant to them, and why. This process ensures that the number of stories is pared down in an organised and transparent manner.
During the selection, representatives of different stakeholders come together. As such, the selection is the phase where space can be given to address power dynamics - by including the programme’s target group(s), implementers, and other stakeholders alike, and valuing each individual voice because of their lived experience, not their knowledge, position, or background.
- The inclusion of an effective Feedback loop is a final prerequisite for the successful implementation of MSC. Feeding back to the different participants and stakeholders means meaningfully involving them throughout the process, letting them know their stories are heard and how their input is perceived and used. Furthermore, information from each step can be fed back in a way so that “each subsequent round of story collection and selection is informed by feedback from previous rounds”. (Davies & Dart 2005)
MSC’s true power: Including every voice
The main reasons why we have integrated MSC in many of our evaluation and research activities, are its truly inclusive nature and the high level of involvement from participants. Throughout the different phases of implementation, MSC ensures the inclusion of different stakeholders (e.g., programme participants, implementers/funders, community leaders, decision makers), at different levels (local, regional, national).
This meaningful involvement of participants – as opposed to “tokenism” – encourages them to develop a sense of ownership and actively contribute to the evaluation process. It empowers participants to think critically, and form and share their opinions in terms of programme impact. Participants can take the opportunity to give voice to their ideas, values, and experiences within a safe, respectful space.
ResultsinHealth is a woman-owned and managed international development consultancy firm located in Leiderdorp, the Netherlands. RiH’s IMPACT team conducts project evaluations, studies, and operational research, specialising in the use of mixed methods and innovative approaches, such as Participatory Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) and research.
Nur Hidayati is the senior evaluation expert in RiH’s Monitoring & Evaluation department. She has specific expertise in the fields of gender and public health and is highly skilled as a facilitator and researcher in various participatory methods, such as the MSC technique, Participatory Video MSC (PVMSC), Photovoice and Outcome Harvesting.
Marije Veenstra is a freelance consultant, closely connected to RiH. She is an anthropologist working in the field of public health and social issues with a passion for writing and storytelling. She is an experienced researcher, working with various participatory M&E and research methods, among which the MSC technique.