EDGEnetwork Coordination and Delivery – Phase 2

Summary

This project will support the EDGENetwork to ensure effective and efficient delivery. Project support includes maintaining an M&E data reporting system, overseeing and updating the EDGE workshop register, undertaking post workshop surveys with attendees and develop case studies to showcase the on-farm benefits accrued from participating in the EDGE Program, maintaining a centralised repository for all EDGE workshop materials, tools and promotional material, and producing an annual EDGENetwork report.

Objectives

The project objectives for EDGEnetwork Coordination and Delivery – Phase 2 project, were as follows:

1. Maintain an M&E data reporting system for EDGEnetwork workshops and modules. Enter M&E data directly from workshop participant feedback sheets. Collate, analyse and report to MLA and all service providers on a quarterly basis via email and then annually in the EDGE M&E report. The data collection will be consistent with the outcomes and recommendations from the Monitoring and evaluation systems framework for Meat & Livestock Australia final report E.EVL.1401 prepared by QualDATA (2014).

2. Oversee the service provider EDGE workshop register.

3. Maintain a centralised, easily accessible repository for all EDGE workshop materials, tools and promotional material with access for service providers. Ensure the housing of the most available up to date workshop and supporting material, with appropriate Branding.

4. Maintain a simple, effective national EDGE participant database.

5. Manage enquiries from prospective participants and link them to relevant EDGEnetwork workshops and/or the PGS program.

6. Provide information on EDGEnetwork data and collection processes that will assist MLA develop an online Adoption reporting system that can be used by EDGE service providers, to enter M&E data directly and add value to the CRM.

7. In collaboration with the MLA Adoption manager produce an annual EDGE EDGEnetwork Network report which includes the analyses of EDGE M&E, participant and registration of interest data, emerging issues with delivery and service provider recommendations for workshop improvements.

8. Be the first port of call for service providers delivering the EDGEnetwork in relation to collection of monitoring and evaluation data, the EDGE workshop register, sourcing up to date EDGE material and organising EDGE workshop promotions via MLA Comms.

9. Liaise with the REAP Officers and the National and State PGS coordinators in relation to EDGEnetwork as a feeder activity.

10. Provide contact details and workshop evaluation information to MLA project manager to assist with the completion of post workshop surveys.

Key findings

• evaluation of 58 individual EDGE workshops
• production of six Quarterly EDGE Evaluation Reports
• production of two Annual EDGE Evaluation Reports
• maintenance of a Master EDGE Workshop Register incorporating 232 workshops planned since 2011
• maintenance of a Master EDGE Participant Database incorporating contacts for over 2,400 people who have attended an EDGE workshop since 2011

Benefits to industry

Standardisation of evaluation sheets and evaluation templates has guaranteed consistent reporting across the EDGE portfolio and reduced the amount of time needed in the production of both quarterly and annual reports. It has also reduced the budget required to undertake EDGE evaluation.

MLA action

MLA is utilising the evaluation data to create opportunities to develop EDGEnetwork packages in southern Australia to grow the program and deliver new skills, motivated other producers, and providing access the latest information that will contribute to effective practice change in their business.

Future research

This project confirmed that current processes for data collection and consolidation provides efficient and streamlined processes for all aspects of EDGE delivery from workshop planning, promotion, data capture, evaluation, technical updates, and reporting.