Learning Questions Tool

We built this tool through a vast co-creation process with 62 grassroots organisations in Kenya and Tanzania to enable you to plan, adapt, and reflect using learning questions as a simple tool for evidence-building without needing a perfect plan or a big Monitoring Evaluation and Learning (MEL) budget. At the end we believe you'll come out with a customised summary of learning goals, questions, and insights which can also support grant applications, reports, and storytelling.

Why this tool?

We know that traditional project/programme design tools like logframes often feel rigid. They imply you should already know what works but real-world change doesn't happen in a straight line.The Learning Questions Tool helps you to flip the script. It treats every project as a learning journey helping you stay curious, stay grounded in your context, and adapt as you go.

You will find that its based on two kinds of learning:

  • Single-loop learning: Are we doing things right?
  • Double-loop learning: Are we doing the right things?

How it works

You need a team ( volunteers,staff) essentially people who you consistently work with on the project willing to reflect and ask questions before, during, and after your work and No! You don't need to have a research or M&E background. When you are ready to start this tool has 7 simple modules. Each one asks a few guided questions and gives you space to reflect and plan. You can:

  • Fill it in at your own pace
  • Download/save your reflections at the end
  • Track how much you've completed (with a progress bar)
  • Revisit and update it as your project evolve
Module 1: What do we want to learn? Module 2: Select your learning questions Module 3: Frame your questions Module 4: How will we learn? Module 5: What will we do with the learning? Module 6: Applying the learning

Create your learning snapshot

Your answers from the modules above can be pulled into a learning snapshot that you can download, print, or include in reports/proposals. It will include:

  • Our learning goals
  • Our key questions
  • How we'll gather insights
  • How we'll apply the learning

You might also want to:

  • Share your snapshot with a funder in a proposal it shows curiosity, evidence use, and readiness.
  • Reflect quarterly with your team using your learning questions.
  • Use answers in storytelling, blogs, or case studies.
  • Post one question on your wall or in your WhatsApp group as a weekly check-in.