Once again, we refer to Bamberger, who describes an evaluation of a co-operative program in El Salvador that determined that the co-operatives improved the lives of the few families involved but did not have a significant impact on overall employment. It is essentially undertaken to look at what you set out to do, at what you could accomplish, and how you accomplished it. In essence, evaluation is the comparison of actual project impacts against the agreed-upon strategic plans. Project managers undertake interim evaluations during the implementation as the first review of progress, a prognosis of a project’s likely effects, and as a way to identify necessary adjustments in project design. ![]() It studies the outcome of a project (changes in income, better housing quality, distribution of the benefits between different groups, the cost-effectiveness of the projects as compared with other options, etc.) to inform the design of future projects.Įvaluation relies on data generated through monitoring activities as well as information obtained from other sources such as studies, research, in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, etc. This information was then used to make some important changes in the project.īamberger defines it as: “an internal project activity designed to provide constant feedback on the progress of a project, the problems it is facing, and the efficiency with which it is being implemented.” Evaluation DefinitionĮvaluation, on the other hand, is a periodic in-depth time-bound analysis that attempts to assess systematically and objectively the relevance, performance, impact, success, or the lack thereof and sustainability of the on-going and completed projects about stated objectives. The potential beneficiaries were not participating due to the inadequacy of the loan size for their needs. The author describes a monitoring study that, by way of rapid survey, was able to determine that the amount of credit in a micro-credit scheme for artisans in Brazil was too small. This example is drawn from the World Bank Technical paper entitled “Monitoring and Evaluating Urban Development Programs: A Handbook for Program Managers and Researchers” by Michael Bamberger. Does the approach need to be modified, and if so, how?.Monitoring information is collected in a planned, organized, and routine way at specific times, for example, daily, monthly, or quarterly.Īt some point, this information is needed to be collated, brought together, and analyzed so that it can answer questions such as: It enables you to determine whether the resources available are sufficient and are being well used, whether the capacity you have is sufficient and appropriate, and whether you are doing what you planned to do. The performance information generated from monitoring enhances learning from experience and improves decision-making. It also identifies strengths and weaknesses in a program. If done properly, it is an invaluable tool for the good management and provides a useful base for evaluation. Monitoring tracks the actual performance against what was planned or expected by collecting and analyzing data on the indicators according to pre-determined standards. It provides managers and other stakeholders with continuous feedback on implementation, identifies actual or potential successes and early indications of the progress, problems, or lack thereof as early as possible to facilitate timely adjustments and modification to project operation as and when necessary. It is about collecting information that will help answer questions about a project, usually about the way it is progressing towards its original goals, and how the objectives and approaches are taken may need to be modified. Monitoring is the continuous and systematic assessment of project implementation based on targets set and activities planned during the planning phases of the work and the use of inputs, infrastructure, and services by project beneficiaries. Systematically generated monitoring data are essential for a successful evaluation. What it follows from the discussion is that both monitoring and evaluation are necessary management tools to inform decision-making and demonstrate accountability.Įvaluation is not a substitute for monitoring, nor is monitoring a substitute for evaluation. ![]() ![]() Monitoring is the periodic assessment of programmed activities to determine whether they are proceeding as planned.Īt the same time, evaluation involves the assessment of the programs towards the achievement of results, milestones, and impact of the outcomes based on the use of performance indicators.īoth activities require dedicated funds, trained personnel, monitoring and evaluation tools, effective data collection and storage facilities, and time for effective inspection visits in the field.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |