MONITORING AND EVALUATION
While working in the organization, my interest started
working the Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E). In the beginning, I had no
idea of Monitoring and Evaluation. While in the organization, I saw M and E
keeping the data of the programmes but didn't know about it and its importance.
So, what is Monitoring and Evaluation (M and E)? Monitoring
is the regular systematic collection and analysis of information to track the
progress of program implementation against pre-set targets and objectives. It
aims to answer the question "did we deliver?"
Monitoring; Clarifies program objectives,
Links activities and their resources to objectives, Translates objectives into
performance indicators and sets targets, Routinely collects data on these
indicators, compares actual results with targets.
While monitoring provides records of
activities and results, and signals problems to be remedied along the way, it
is descriptive and may not be able to explain why a particular problem has
arisen, or why a particular outcome has occurred or failed to occur.
Evaluation Analyzes why intended results
were or were not achieved, Assesses specific casual contributions of activities
to results, Examines implementation process, Explores unintended results,
Provides lessons, highlights significant accomplishments or program potential
and offers recommendations for improvement
Evaluation looks at the relevance,
effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability of an intervention. It will
provide evidence of why targets and outcomes are or are not being achieved and
addresses issues of causality.
THE IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION
Monitoring and evaluation is important because:
- it provides the only consolidated source of information showcasing project progress;
- it allows actors to learn from each other’s experiences, building on expertise and knowledge;
- it often generates (written) reports that contribute to transparency and accountability, and allows for lessons to be shared more easily;
- it reveals mistakes and offers paths for learning and improvements;
- it provides a basis for questioning and testing assumptions;
- it provides a means for agencies seeking to learn from their experiences and to incorporate them into policy and practice;
- it provides a way to assess the crucial link between implementer and beneficiaries on the ground and decision-makers;
- it adds to the retention and development of institutional memory;
- it provides a more robust basis for raising funds and influencing policy.
In
an organization, the purpose of monitoring and evaluation is to track
implementation and outputs systematically, and measure the effectiveness of
programmes. It helps determine exactly when a programme is on track and when
changes may be needed. Monitoring and evaluation forms the basis for
modification of interventions and assessing the quality of activities being
conducted.
Monitoring
and evaluation can be used to demonstrate that programme efforts have had a
measurable impact on expected outcomes and have been implemented effectively.
It is essential in helping managers, planners, implementers, policy makers and
donors acquire the information and understanding they need to make informed
decisions about programme operations.
Monitoring
and evaluation helps with identifying the most valuable and efficient use of
resources. It is critical for developing objective conclusions regarding the
extent to which programmes can be judged a “success”. Monitoring and evaluation
together provide the necessary data to guide strategic planning, to design and
implement programmes and projects, and to allocate, and re-allocate resources
in better ways.
REFERENCES
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