M&E

May 23, 2025

The Tyranny of Intended Outcomes

In international development programming, the phrase “outcomes” refers to the desired, measurable changes or benefits that result from a program or project as a consequence of outputs achieved. Some outcomes are considered immediate -those direct results of the production of outputs, while others are considered intermediate or ultimate, which can be likened to higher-order results. Continue reading

development philosophy, monitoring, evaluation, learning, strategy

evaluation, knowledge sharing, learning, M&E, MEL, monitoring, philosophy, program logic, research, results chain, results framework, systems change, systems thinking

Michael Cañares, known as Miko to his friends, has a consummate passion for learning new things. His more than 25 years of work experience is characterised by an endless pursuit of finding answers to questions, designing solutions to emerging problems, and finding ways to measure change.

As a certified public accountant, he has designed financial systems for small cooperatives, civil society organisations, corporations, and philanthropic foundations. In recognition of his excellence in teaching and learning, he was awarded by the Central Bank of the Philippines and Citibank as the Most Outstanding Finance Educator in 2010.

He founded Step Up Consulting twenty years ago, and was its managing consultant for at least 15 years. He still serves as its strategy advisor.

He holds accountancy, business education and Juris Doctor qualifications from Philippine universities, as well as a masters degree in development studies from the London School of Economics and Political Science. He is currently finishing his doctoral degree in knowledge and innovation management from the Institute for Knowledge and Innovation Southeast Asia, a center for excellence based at Bangkok University.

Miko is a Ford Foundation International Fellow. In 2022, Holy Name University awarded Miko as Outstanding Alumni for Social Responsibility recognising his sensitivity and care for people, culture and environment and his involvement in activities that promote empowerment of people and transformation of the community.

M&E

The Tyranny of Intended Outcomes