10 tips for developing a data management system for monitoring and evaluation (M&E)
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The challenge early on during project implementation is to design effective learning systems that can underpin management behavior towards results, and come up with strategies to optimize impact.
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In this context, learning is defined as formulating responses to identified constraints and implementing them in real time. However, without information on outreach achieved and outputs or services delivered, it would be difficult to decide on appropriate responses, or make needed adjustments and refinements to plans, implementation approaches and strategies.
To maintain good oversight and manage information on indicators and systems used for data collection, recording and reporting, projects therefore turn to management information systems MIS. Whereas all projects use Excel spreadsheets as MIS, once a project reaches a certain size it becomes more convenient to use a web-based solution, with a more complex database system.
These often need to use basic and reliable MIS data to develop survey frameworks, and to assess basic assumptions on scope of outreach etc. Mobile phones and tablets for example enable real-time performance reporting by implementing partners. The implementing unit may hire the services of specialized agencies to undertake these activities. However, the final responsibility to maintain oversight and act on the results of such activities as for MIS development lies clearly with project management.
10 Tips for Developing a Data Management System for Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
Monitoring in this context is the ongoing process by which investment plan stakeholders obtain regular feedback on the progress being made towards achieving the envisaged results. Evaluation aims at assessing the deeper level changes of the investment plan on the sector or the entire economy.
An investment plan is typically composed of a set of investment operations programmes or projects. Respective indicators therefore need to establish coherent linkages between investment plan components and individual projects listed under the investment plan through programmes covering several projects. Since these investment plans target the national level, results should be measured by at least some indicators that can be tracked from national agricultural statistics. It is particularly important to monitor the financial progress of ongoing investment projects because investment plans are often not fully financed from the start and can therefore serve as a tool to mobilize resources.
An example of regular monitoring of a national investment plan can be found in Bangladesh. Since its adoption, the national authorities have produced annual reports covering the entire national policy and investment framework.
They are reporting on progress towards national food security and agriculture targets as well as on the financial commitment and disbursement. With regards to evaluation, there have been various initiatives to quantify the impact of the Comprehensive Africa Agriculture Development Programme on e.
This is always done using country-level data International Food Policy Research Institute discussion paper. Provides background on typology of indicators, describes how indicators are developed and applied in all project phases; provides examples of performance indicators and shows how the indicators were developed on the basis of each project's development objectives. The use of monitoring and evaluation in agriculture and rural development projects FAO, Presents an overview of important climate change-related assessment, monitoring and evaluation activities in policy and programme processes and project cycles.
Details are provided about how to conduct assessments relating to policies and project justification and design, as well as monitoring and evaluation.
This Module provides a detailed description of the methodology and procedures involved in the phase of formulation and evaluation of small-scale community or family investment projects in rural areas. Emphasizes the involvement of stakeholders in design and implementation and discusses how to create a learning environment for managers and for project implementation. Participatory monitoring and evaluation: The whole module, including study of the role of projects in development and financial and economic cost-benefit analysis, is available for study as an Individual Professional Award for professional update, or as an elective in postgraduate degree programmes in the fields of Agricultural Economics, Poverty Reduction and Sustainable Development, offered by the University of London.
To verify the accuracy of the test scores submitted by the teachers the Program Manager will randomly select one class every six months to audit. To verify the accuracy of the test scores submitted by the teachers the Program Manager will randomly select one class every six months to audit. These options should be discussed with stakeholders and your team to determine reasonable expectations for data review and to develop plans for dissemination early in the program. External specialist expertise may be relevant in areas such as: What is this thing called 'Theory of Change'? Identify the program goals and objectives. The Program Manager will then combine the data from each class to create full list of students and their scores.
For more information see: Monitoring and Evaluation for learning and performance improvement. Refresher of RBM terminology: Data sources could be from primary sources, like from participant themselves or from secondary sources like existing literature.
How to create a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system – step-by-step guide | tools4dev
You can then decide on the most appropriate method to collect the data from each data source. Collection of monitoring data may occur regularly over short intervals, or less regularly, such as half-yearly or annually. Likewise the timing of evaluations internal and external should be noted. You may also want to note any requirements that are needed to collect the data staff, budget etc. It is advisable to have some idea of the cost associated with monitoring, as you may have great ideas to collect a lot of information, only to find out that you cannot afford it all.
Additionally, it is good to determine how the collected data will be stored. LogAlto also allows for the generation of tables, scorecards, charts and maps. Quarterly Progress reports can also be produced from LogAlto. In most programmes there will be an internal and an independent evaluation conducted by an external consultant.
Decide on standard forms and procedures. However, there is no need to re-invent the wheel. There may already be examples of best practice within an organisation that could be exported to different locations or replicated more widely. This leads to step 9. You can choose from any of the templates presented in this article to capture the information. Remember, they are templates, not cast in stone. Feel free to add extra columns or categories as you see fit. Pilot and then roll-out the system.
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It is also good to inform persons on which areas they are free to develop their own solutions and in which areas they are not. This could include guides, training manuals, mentoring approaches, staff exchanges, interactive media, training days or workshops. This is better than a sequentially ordered process.
- It is No Secret: 10 Steps To Design a Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) System | ann-brown.
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A feedback loop facilitates continuous development and improvement.