Image credit: World Poultry Foundation, Lusaka, Zambia May 2024 Copyright: Connor Ashleigh
Most nonprofits and social impact organizations worldwide struggle with persistent challenges in data collection, verification, and analysis. Reliance on paper-based systems and disconnected digital processes leads to fragmented data capture and limited visibility, which can significantly hamper decision-making. Some of the common pain points we see include:
- Data Collection: “I don’t have the data.”
- Data Verification & Integrity: “I don’t have confidence in the data I’m seeing.”
- Data Analytics & Reporting: “The data is there, but it isn’t telling me what I need to know.”
Who We Are and How We Help
Oikoi is an Australian consulting and business intelligence company working across the Asia-Pacific region. We specialize in implementing CommCare, the most flexible and powerful app for digital data collection and service delivery in low-resource settings. Since becoming a certified CommCare Provider in 2017, we have supported clients in transitioning from paper-based to digital systems, creating web-integrated mobile apps that streamline data gathering and management.
At Oikoi, we focus on understanding our clients’ unique needs to deliver tailored digital solutions. Whether helping large-scale agricultural projects or other poverty-alleviation initiatives, our services extend beyond data collection. We provide expert training, continuous support, and system design that ensures the longevity and scalability of clients’ digital solutions.
The following three case studies highlight the successes and key lessons learned from implementing CommCare for clients in the food and agriculture sectors, across diverse projects and regions.
Case Study 1: Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) Mobile Acquired Data (MAD) research series.
The MAD project involved collaborating with researchers from universities and government agencies across Australia and their overseas partners. Oikoi’s role was to help manage agricultural research projects, often in challenging environments. A key issue was that researchers tended to develop their own data collection systems, with much of their budgets going towards digital management tools.
We sought an off-the-shelf solution to standardize data collection. With support from ACIAR, we reviewed 17 leading digital data collection tools, conducting both a desktop review and field tests. CommCare emerged as the most effective tool for case management, service delivery, and data handling. See the MAD Journey presentation for a summary.
Oikoi developed a new implementation methodology to help projects integrate digital data collection into their specific settings, tailoring technology to their needs. We also provided specialized training in CommCare app development for each project. Watch this video to see how MAD was implemented.
Key Takeaways:
- Data as Currency: For researchers, data is critical, directly impacting publications and livelihoods. Providing extensive guidance ensured researchers felt confident transitioning to CommCare and maintained continuity in data collection.
- Questioning Existing Processes: Transitioning to digital systems prompted researchers to refine their surveys and protocols, ultimately improving research quality.
- Saving Time: Investing in well-structured digital surveys reduces data review and cleaning time by up to 75%, while saving participants’ time and reducing fatigue, improving data quality.
- Turning Data into Information: Providing real-time feedback to survey participants can enhance engagement and improve research outcomes. CommCare’s dynamic, personalized surveys help ensure quality data collection.
Case Study 2: World Poultry Foundation (WPF)
Oikoi partnered with the World Poultry Foundation (WPF) to address data collection challenges in remote areas of Africa with poor cell reception. Before our partnership, data collection was fragmented, making it hard to share insights or provide an overview of fieldwork. We helped streamline WPF’s data collection, creating an automated pipeline for collecting, cleaning, and reporting data. This improved decision-making and allowed partners to stay focused on supporting farmers and producing quality products. Learn more about WPF’s 6 Steps to Measuring Success in Poultry Farming.
Key Takeaways:
- Organization-wide and Individual Training: Investing in ongoing training ensures that stakeholders, from managers to field workers, are comfortable using digital tools, improving adoption and long-term success.
- Long-term Vision: Early planning for future needs and involving end users in design ensures smoother adoption and scalability.
- Rigorous Testing: Multiple rounds of testing with various teams reveal potential issues early, allowing for easy adjustments. CommCare’s no-code platform supports continuous evolution as requirements change.
- Feedback Mechanism: Gathering feedback from users before going live helps address needs early, ensuring a smoother rollout.
Case Study 3: Evidence Action’s “No Lean Season”
We partnered with Evidence Action to develop a CommCare app for their No Lean Season program, which aims to improve household food consumption and income in rural Bangladesh by subsidizing seasonal migration. The app digitized operations, enabling dynamic, data-driven management to enhance program efficiency. We led app design, trained staff, and created dashboards for data visualization and SMS notifications. Additionally, we supported large-scale household surveys, loan disbursement, and repayment monitoring.
Key Takeaways:
- Data Reporting and Visualization: Identifying key data points, simplifying complex information, and bridging gaps between management and technical teams are important considerations. Our three-tier reporting approach addresses leadership needs, performance analysis, and operational intelligence.
- Data Verification Checks: Implementing research-grade verification methods, including retesting and follow-up surveys, to ensure the reliability of reported data. This provides a clear picture of staff capacity, confirms participation rates, and triangulates results.
Partner with us for Tailored Digital Solutions
From supporting agricultural researchers with complex data management to helping nonprofits monitor large-scale programs, Oikoi provides digital solutions that streamline data collection and improve decision-making. Drawing on our deep experience in CommCare, we specialize in customizing solutions to suit the unique needs of each project, delivering efficient, tailored solutions.
If you’re looking for a partner to digitize or manage your program’s data collection needs, reach out to us at hello@oikoi.io or visit our website: https://www.oikoi.io
