Measuring the immeasurable: planning, monitoring and evaluation of networks

Networks and networking have come to be significant ways of organising and taking action by people and groups active in influencing complex social, economic and political forces that shape lives and society. It is the search for measurement of networking that led to this book. This book's aim is to provide a greater understanding of the nature of networks and networking; to share experiences of networks and networking organisations in planning, monitoring and evaluation; examine problems, challenges, practices and successes; lessons and guidelines to strengthen the PME in networks and networking organisations; and, promote greater understanding and cooperation between funding agencies, networks and networking organisations that they support.

The book recognises that relationships between funding agencies and networks/networking organisations are often not smooth with regard to planning, monitoring and evaluation. It suggests that funding agencies need to understand better the nature of networking and networks; that networks and networking organisations need to understand better the importance of planning, monitoring and evaluation to their work; and finding appropriate planning, monitoring and evaluation methodologies are important so networks and networking organisations can 'measure the unmeasurable'. It highlights the need to reconcile sometimes differing needs and demands, and to build understanding and cooperative relationships.

(From the publisher)