The Challenge
Australia’s soil health is a valuable asset to industry as well as sustainability efforts. The Australian Government’s National Soil Strategy features a set of goals and objectives aimed at restoring and protecting soil nationally and as part of this, the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry (DAFF) implemented a Soil Package featuring nine programs/budget measures. As a large government investment, these measures required well-planned measurement and evaluation (M&E) in order to better enable data capture from the start in order to understand their impact. To ensure the M&E plan is workable, stakeholders would need to engaged and DAFF teams needed clear guidance on how to enact the changes over the multi-decade timeframe. DAFF was seeking to develop a solid M&E plan and approach as well as a stakeholder engagement process.
Our Response
ThinkPlaceX set up a core design team and broader steering group to engage regularly throughout the project for quality assurance and expert input. In the design phase, we ran several ThinkCamps and workshops, highly collaborative workshop-style events designed specifically to work through complex challenges, to elicit key information and connect the various stakeholders and plans. This was followed by the validation phase to validate and refine draft M&E and stakeholder engagement plans in order to deliver them in the final deliver phase.
Using a Theory of Change and measurement hierarchy model, we co-designed the foundational elements of each program. This process began with a workshop to refine the draft program logic, enabling us to make targeted recommendations, clarify dependencies, and align program measures. We developed a visual diagram mapping the connections and dependencies of each soil measure within the broader soil package. To support this, we conducted one-on-one interviews, gathered qualitative insights to complement our analysis. We then established both quantitative and qualitative key performance indicators and outcome measures, alongside defining appropriate data collection methods, sources, and a timeline for implementation. Finally, we identified roles and responsibilities, and outlined an analysis plan with performance reporting requirements, including high-level evaluation questions to guide future assessment
The behavioural change component of this project focused on aligning the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan with strategies that would drive stakeholder buy-in and prompt meaningful action—ultimately supporting the intended outcomes of the Soil Package programs. We began with desktop research to review the draft program logic, identify relevant M&E inputs, initiatives, strategies, data sets, and conduct stakeholder analysis. Building on this, we explored stakeholder motivations and contextual factors, identifying behavioural change tactics and communication products designed to encourage positive engagement. These insights informed the development of a targeted Change Roadmap—a strategic tool to guide the implementation of actions that reinforce desired behaviours and enable the success of the program.
The Impact
Stakeholders from across Australia’s soil and land management community—including DAFF, state and territory governments, soil experts, landholders, and Indigenous representatives—were actively engaged in the development of the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) plan. A comprehensive Theory of Change was created to clearly map how the nine budget measures contribute to the overall strategy, outlining the rationale for key activities, behaviours, and outcomes. Building on this, a Measurement and Evaluation Plan was established to define the data needed to track short-, medium-, and long-term impact. A complementary Change Roadmap identified where behaviour change is essential and detailed the influencing factors needed to drive action towards improved soil health outcomes. Together, these strategies form a strong foundation for consistent evaluation of the Soil Package and advance Australia’s long-term ambition to understand, manage, and value its soil as a national asset
Case studies
View all case studies
Reducing Violence Against Women Family Safety Innovation Hub
Read case study
Driving Sector-Wide Innovation to Create Sustainable Futures
Read case study