Improved Governance through Monitoring and Evaluation

Description

This professional development workshop provides a useful basis to develop effective frameworks for monitoring and evaluating the implementation of development plans, budgets, programs and projects.   The course adopts a perspective of using M&E to improve governance and so also considers the M&E in an oversight role.

 The primary framework adopted is the logical framework or logframe which is based on the “results-chain logic”.  The Logframe is a tool that can communicate the essential elements of a complex programme, clearly, and succinctly throughout the programme or project cycle.   The Logframe is used to develop the overall design of a project, to improve project implementation monitoring, and to strengthen periodic project evaluation.  In essence the Logframe is a cause and effect model of project interventions to create desired outcomes.  The emphasis on a logical framework approach provides the participant with relevant and effective tools to assess and understand a broad range of techniques to measure and evaluate progress over time.

The professional development workshop covers a basic introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation methods and principles.  The course will cover common monitoring practices and options for evaluating projects, programmes, or policies. Definitions of M&E as well as their complementary functions in the typical project/program cycle are explained. Attention will also be paid to the different types of evaluation and the latest trends. Participants examine the fundamental concepts and methods of M&E, selection of indicators and measurement strategies, determination of appropriate methods for collecting and analyzing data and good practices in managing evaluations and the use of the results

All indicators employed in a monitoring and evaluation framework require the establishment of base line indicators.  Part of the role of the Monitoring and Evaluation function is to measure progress, and identify bottlenecks and issues that are impeding progress and recommend actions to be taken in order to sustain progress toward the agreed benchmark.   The course will use the case study method to develop skills to identify bottlenecks and implement corrective actions.

Objective

The principal professional workshop objective is to provide participants with the introductory tools to effectively understand as well as develop logframes; and to be able to specify measure and assess the progress of performance indicators and to evaluate the effectiveness of particular programs and projects in achieving policy objectives in a cost effective manner.    Further it is to allow discussion and interaction with other participants who may share common challenges.

Audience

The target audience is Government officials and Development advisors involved in the design, implementation, management and oversight of national and sector plans, budgets, programs and projects.   It especially targets staff in Monitoring and Evaluation units within Government Ministries as well as Parliamentarians and other oversight agencies.

Pre-requisites

This course is designed for people with little or no experience in planning, budgeting or monitoring and evaluation.   The course is developed basic concepts and definitions as its starting point.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course participants should:

• Get a better understanding of the concept of M&E and the possibilities it offers in achieving better governance.

• Achieve a sound understanding of the role that M&E can play in improving project and programme management as well as policy decision making.

• Develop insight in the different stages of the evaluation process and tools/ methodologies that are most appropriate in different types of evaluations.

• Provide guidance on how to organise and supervise an evaluation using good and best practices. Increase the understanding of critical factors for success and failure of an evaluation.

• Understand the logframe tool to achieve stakeholder consensus; summarise and link the key aspects and anticipated impact of your project; communicate information concisely and unambiguously; identify measurable performance indicators and the means of verifying progress; bring together in one place a statement of all key aspects of the reform project in a systematic, concise and coherent way; and apply it as a framework for monitoring and evaluation where planned and actual results can be compared.

• Understand how the log frame approach promotes evidence based policy making; allows for stakeholders to be involved in the policy cycle and process; supports a targeted, sequenced and long term perspective; and supports clear channels of communication.

Learn how to link the Logframe to Implementation Planning Tools such as the Work Breakdown Structure, the Gantt and the Responsibility Chart.