Understanding networks

Understanding networks

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nlLINK

consult

key to M&E in endeavours of partnership

Eelke WielingaLINK Consult, The Netherlands

What are we monitoring?

A discovery journey? A chocolate factory?

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

Networking is smelling chances!

Dutch scientific experiment: 2004 - 2007

• Farmers initiatives• Precursor Networks ( 3+ entrepreneurs)• Assistance during 1 year by technician• 50 networks per year / 25 facilitators

Peer-to-peer consultations > project management does not work!

• After 3,5 years: 120 networks assisted• Since 2008 regular innovation programme for all sectors in agriculture

The path of changesorganizations

missiontargets

instrumentscompetences

indicatorspeople

change

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

The path of changesorganizations

missiontargets

instrumentscompetences

indicatorspeople

change

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

networks

peopleambitions

connectionenergytargets

missionchange

organizationsmission

targets

instruments

competences

indicators

people

change

networkspeople

ambitions

connectionenergy

targets

mission

change

A shared mission is the result of a good process, not the start of it.

People with ambitions make the flow, Structure provides the bedding.

COLD PROCESS

WARM PROCESS

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

Network processes require additional tools and language

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

Navigate in unknown areas• Recognise patterns• Options to intervene

Management & control• Hierarchy• Planning• Risk management

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

The Circle of Coherence

Feeding patterns

Focus on interaction patterns in networks

‘Vital space’

Coherence

Co-creationleads to results

Capacity to respond

Defensive patterns

Protection against threats

Intervene fordissolving barriers

which requires something

different in each pattern

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

The Triangle of Co-CreationFocus on positions in networks

Co-creation requires contributions from

complementary positions

Networks need at least one

‘free actor’ who does whatever it takes to overcome

suspicions

‘Production style’ M&E

ignores the warm process

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

The Triangle of Co-CreationFocus on positions in networks

‘Production style’ M&E

ignores the warm process

Interaction pattern escalates into

Institutionalised mistrust

Co-creation requires contributions from

complementary positions

Networks need at least one

‘free actor’ who does whatever it takes to overcome

suspicions

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

The Learning HistoryM&E for networks as discovery journeys

Kleiner, A, Roth, G (1997): Learning History. How to make your experience your company’s best teacher. Harvard Business Review

1. Time Line

• Perceptions of actors involved• Share insights in process• Set agenda

2. Learning History

• Break up Time Line into scenes• Analysis per scene (using tools)• Feedback in network• Narrative report to ‘enabling community’

(newspaper style)

Network processes require additional tools and language

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl

Navigate in unknown areas• Recognise patterns• Options to intervene

Management & control• Hierarchy• Planning• Risk management

conclusions

M&E: Follow the path of the hero’s• Reflect jointly on the process• Report as a logbook (Newspaper Style)

• Present it a a Learning History

Eelke Wielinga: www.toolsfornetworkers.nl