Some organizations, especially those in international development, are tasked with achieving results, measuring the extent of their achievement and then, on top of that, finding a way to tell people about the good job they did.
Typically, the monitoring and evaluation portion of a project (or projects) emphasizes quanitifiable data (e.g., number of people who received humanitarian relief packages or, perhaps, hours of practical training provided). These data are usually put into a centralized spreadsheet or database for recall at a moment’s notice.
While it is somewhat dry and lifeless on its own, statistical data is important for development work. Lawmakers and special interest groups want to know that tax monies are funding something positive and valuable through the work of a contract or grant provided from the government. Often, the statistical data goes a long way in securing additional funding to continue a program.
The problem with simply presenting fact and figures is the detachment from ”real people.” It sounds far more compelling to say, for example:
“Ms. N was able to see the face of her newborn daughter thanks to the maternal health care services of Project XYZ”
instead of,
“Local residents of Town W (population XXXXX) received medical support and health care development to realize decreased infant mortality rates (reduced by 15%) and improved quality in neonatal care.”
In short, facts and hard data should be used to back up and clarify the impact of helping and supporting the people who are benefitting from international development. Communicating the life-changing impact of hard work and international cooperation should alwaysbe presented with a human face rather than a fancy plastic binder cover filled with print-outs.