Seven different methods of service delivery are utilized by the IDEAS team:

Impact Assessment – This includes overall coordination, planning, training of local staff, and technical oversight of a full-scale, participatory evaluation. We have designed tools and written and edited parts of a manual that is a world standard. Also, we provide design assistance in impact monitoring.

Market Research – This includes planning, training and technical oversight of full-scale market research into refining an existing product or designing a new product. We also train others to become certified market researchers, using the MicroSave-Africa methodology.

Institutional Evaluation – We can do this as either a participatory or external evaluation. It is usually done for the institution itself or its donors. Due diligence reviews are performed for investors in microfinance institutions, their intermediaries, and coffee production and exporting firms.

Educational Workshops – These range from an hour to three weeks. We also offer courses for graduate credit at institutions of higher education in the US and elsewhere.

Technical Assistance – We offer on-site advisory services as well as assistance by email and telephone.

Capacity Building for Younger Consultants & Trainers – We provide training and field work opportunities for younger consultants and trainers, especially those from developing countries, to develop their skills to better assist managers and MFIs.

Information Dissemination – We do this primarily through our two newsletters and website, as well as in our training workshops and publications.

There is more detailed information about each of these areas on other pages of our web site.