RTE provides timely, actionable learning that affect projects, programs, and other interventions as they occur. The demand for RTEs has increased with the growing recognition and uptake of adaptive management to improve implementation and course-correct, ensuring interventions remain relevant, realistic, and impactful.

In a world facing challenges such as climate change, pandemics, economic recessions, and wars, the boundaries of conventional evaluation methodologies have been pushed to respond to the complexity and uncertainty that characterize the contexts (evaluands) where interventions are delivered and evaluated. RTEs are part of a family of complexity-adaptive evaluation methods, (e.g., rapid-feedback evaluation, rapid assessment, real-time learning, rapid evaluation methods, rapid rural appraisal, and more), that provide immediate feedback to inform implementation and strategic decision making.

This course will provide an overview of RTEs, discussing their benefits and limitations, and how to plan and conduct them. Handouts and additional resources will be provided to support evaluators and those who manage evaluation to incorporate RTEs into their evaluation toolbox.

The workshop is appropriate for those considering RTE as an evaluation commissioner, evaluation manager, or evaluator. A prior understanding of these concepts and practices is not a prerequisite to participate in the course.

This 6-hour course is delivered in two virtual, instructor-led sessions. All sessions will take place online via Zoom. All participants who successfully complete the modules will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.

Module 1: RTE Overview, Planning, and Team Selection
April 3, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. EDT

Module 1 provides an overview of RTE, including how it intersects with other forms of rapid evaluation and real-time learning. We will explore RTE’s humanitarian roots and the drivers for its uptake in non-humanitarian sectors and program areas. This module will also cover RTE various applications as well as limitations, and key considerations for planning and commissioning an RTE, including RTE team composition.

Module 2: RTE Data Collection, Analysis, and Reporting
 April 4, 9 a.m.–12 p.m. EDT

Module 2 builds on the first module by examining key considerations for RTE data collection, analysis, and reporting. It emphasizes that, due to RTE’s purpose of rapid real-time learning for timely course correction and improvement, these processes occur concurrently rather than sequentially. The module will conclude by discussing common challenges faced in RTE and strategies for troubleshooting them.

We hope to see you online soon! Please contact us with any questions at learningcenter@encompassworld.com.