What will be the most interesting changes after COVID-19? - Comment
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Information covered in this presentation slides: 1. What will be the most interesting changes after COVID-19? 2. Changes in the workplace Working remotely has been demystified, and the world has seen that it is possible. It will become more prevalent in the post Covid-19 landscape Internet as a human right, and therefore an increase in connectivity, and a reduction in data costs Innovative approaches to technology especially related to communication platforms Increase in the use of digital tools overall, forcing people to learn new skills Will in person contact and interaction still be valued in the work place? Lost time for data collection in the field would have to be made up Reduced need for travel for work The USG and other donors will begin to release a backlog of new proposal requests Fieldwork safety guidelines will be changed so will fieldwork processes 3. Changes in our social world • Significant changes in lifestyles, changes in economic generation and socialising • Maintaining social distancing – the most interesting change for me will be how people will greet each other or even be around each other. Maybe handshakes and kisses will be a thing of the past • Physical distancing will remain long-term, but new ways of social interaction will probably be with us for a long time, and finding ways to connect meaningfully • Changes in how people shop (increased home delivery and online shopping), increased reliance on telecoms • Will individuals feel comfortable spending time together in large groups at restaurants, sporting events, and concerts? • Stressed social perceptions • An increased awareness of the role human beings play in transmitting certain sicknesses will also shape our attitudes toward public transportation and play a role in modifying certain cultural practices, such as handshaking 4. Policy changes • Significant changes in environmental policy – people to realise that should we make changes, we can see almost immediate results in pollution levels • How will the world react to the next virus? • Government, business and civil society can be working together to find solutions to address challenges. This illustrates how our social, infrastructural, poverty and educational challenges COULD be resolved if their is a common goal or drive 5. How do you think fieldwork and data collection processes will be different after COVID-19? 6. Remote data collection The data collection component of research is common to all fields of study including physical and social sciences, humanities, business, etc, however after this outbreak lots for things are going to change More remote data collection versus physical data collection Now and during the early stages of post- COVID, there is/will be an increased attention for remote data collection methods and the recognized need for less in-person fieldwork We will think about how we can use remote data collection as a first option, rather than automatically planning face-to- face data collection Collection of data that does not involve observation or verification will be done via phone Data collection processes will be different, there will be a reduction in face to face interviews, having physical contact with learners and teachers, we will have to come up with a way to collect data without visiting schools. Use survey monkey or other portals to collect data 7. • Companies are constantly trying to devise ways of coping with the fact that M&E fieldwork will be less fieldwork-based and more remotely-based • Finding creative ways to build relationships with respondents using virtual methods. For example, telephone interviews traditionally have focussed on gathering data based on questions. This will need to shift to having a conversation or dialogue with someone that one has not met, cannot see their facial expressions, and cannot build trust as easily with them. Observations may be done virtually, and for actual site visits this may need to be done using google map satellite functions, or drone footage, or using a GoPro as one drives past Increased innovation & more creative data collection processes 8. Increased innovation & more creative data collection processes cont. • Time for companies to think outside the box, where possible online surveys and telephonic interviews become priority • Pushing us to think of alternative ways to collect data. Using a lot more remote data collection such as IVR and when an observation of a practice (e.g. teacher teaching in class) is necessary, we may ask them to share photos and videos of activities they have been doing 9. No significant change Although a shift to remote fieldwork the changes will not be too significant, as in-person still remains more effective for many interviews, training, and there is no 'digital barrier' for people to lose concentration Some parts of Africa will still require physical data collection due to the challenges of online accessibility Telephonic, online or USSD surveys may become standard but I do not feel that site visits have seen their last day It depends if there is still an infectious virus in the country; if not, then I do not think it will have an impact 10. Hygiene and safety • Protocols and far better screening and controls • More aware of hygiene we need to practice while out in the field and we’ll have to train fieldworkers to abide by those policies and procedures • The safety of data collectors and the participants will need to be put first. Fieldwork may need to be extended so that data collectors are not overworked and that they can observe the correct safety measures • Only small field teams will be hired and consider providing PPE before they interact with respondents • Remote data collection will be conducted long after COVID-19 has passed, to ensure safety of enumerators and stakeholders • There will be a lot of lost time to be made up. For traveling, communities and cities will have to be fully cleared from viruses before anyone can enter 11. Other than fieldwork, do you think Monitoring & Evaluation in your specific sector will change? 12. Education • Greater need to be able to evaluate e-learning, and blended learning and how effective those programs are/have been on learning outcomes • “Force” development of better monitoring systems for projects in schools (and at national, provincial and district offices), so that evaluations can rely on quality monitoring data for reporting. This could then be triangulated with interviews and maybe only specific site visits to certain schools based on what the monitoring data is doing • Education in general will move further on the curve of disruption 13. Health • More evaluations in public health • Redesigning performance measurement metrics to take into consideration pandemics like this. Evaluation in Public Health will involve protocols for pandemics that have global impact • Most of Covid data has been communicated using visualized data making it easier to consume by all demographics. Data communication (not just visualization) may come into greater focus • Covid-19 question included into measuring instruments – for health and other evaluations • Recommendations must take COVID 19 into account – for health and other evaluations 14. Client engagement & project delivery • Rely more on technology than human contact or interactions • Engagement with clients will be more virtual (online presentations, Zoom workshops, Google doc’s for co-creation of documents such as ToC’s) • Building client trust: A greater focus on regular (even weekly) progress reports on evaluation progress – as in-person contact diminishes, the trusted form of communication and engagement will shift, • At work there will be a bigger shift towards doing more work virtually and there will be little face to face contact with people • Projects will need to build in mitigation plans • Change in ‘how the work is done’ – seeking alternative means of collecting information to serve any form of evaluation • The internet will become an extremely important aspect of our work (should be possible to conduct a key informant face to face interview with an individual in Ghana on Zoom) 15. It will be business as usual • I think it will be mostly the same • I think M&E will largely stay the same and rebound following COVID-19, especially after an effective vaccine is rolled out on a macro-scale and the public may feel confident in returning to day-to-day life 16. Lessons learnt – personally and professionally? 17. Business/professional lessons Communication & other ‘soft’ principles more important than ever • You are only as strong as your weakest link, so being able to rely on team members and trust in their work is more important • The skill of communication is even more important now than usual, to remain in contact with team members and provide updates • Sometimes the most effective form of communication is to get out of your chair and walk over the other person’s desk/office and talk • Flexibility. Loads can be done from home however being together in the office is important and vital to keep team spirit and forming a collegial work environment • Strong leadership and good communication are essential 18. Increased productivity working from home, especially when technology support is in place • Greater value in being ultra productive for 4 hours a day, with flexibility in your time, compared to 8 hours of being in the office where you might achieve the same outputs • Technology can be used more to work from home and be as, if not more, productive than being at the office • With a high level of discipline, working from home is as effective as working from the office • To be disciplined in terms of time management when working from home and complete tasks on time • How much greater my productivity is when working at home and not having to engage with office dynamics 19. Increased productivity working from home, especially when technology support is in place • Remote working can be productive • The availability of communications infrastructure, such as Zoom and other conference calling software, have made working from for long periods of time very productive • Use of communication platforms like Zoom and Skype are very effective in keeping teams close with frequent check-ins • You don't have to be in an office to get work done. You can work from anywhere, what matters is structure and good connectivity • The finance office can operate remotely. Clarified what my priorities should be • Be productive when I set my own time do work, but communication is key in making sure our team’s accomplishments go smoothly 20. Need for better risk management • Governments, companies and society at large are not prepared to respond to global dramatic events, such as those posed by COVID • Companies need to devise ways and a Plan B and C, as well as contingency plans on how the work could be carried out, granted there is an enabling environment in which to operate • COVID-19 is a reflection of how quickly life can change. The world was not ready to respond to something of this nature. The lessons is we need to be ready, responsive and prepared for anything! (especially anything related to disease/health/pandemics) • To be better prepared and have contingency plans in place 21. Greener living & a more caring society • We can reduce our carbon footprint significantly! • When it is necessary, society at large is able and willing to make drastic lifestyle changes in order to service the greater good 22. Personal lessons • The importance of rest and not having to ‘fill’ weekends with things, and the importance of taking a break. Also the importance of making ‘taking care of yourself’ a routine habit, so that when your health might be threatened by a pandemic you don't have to *begin* to consider your overall health, but rather that it’s always a priority you maintain • Learning more about taking time to do the things that make my body and soul happy. It’s all about work-life balance • Acceptance of lack of physical exercise in nature as a form of stress relief • Patience. Routine • I have learnt to be more disciplined and independent • We can always adapt • Do not take anything for granted! With the right attitude we can overcome our constraints/obstacles and make it work, just stay positive • Social distancing should have been implemented long ago • Trying to avoid others who may be spreading the virus but don't know that they have it 23. THANK YOU |
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| Posted by : peter88 | Post date : 2020-06-12 22:37 | ||
| Category : Health & Medicine | Views : 372 | ||
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