OPPapers.com

Steps In Setting Up A Monitoring And Evaluation System

The task pf designing an M&E system for a project or programme should start at the stage of preparation and appraisal, not when it is approved and ready for implementation. There are three important reasons for this. First: concern about M&E encourages more cogent thinking and a refined statement of the objectives, assumptions and activities: Second, adequate provision can be made at the outset for meeting the cost of M&E. Third, M&E can be built from the start into the various components, for instance1 for careful monitoring of experimental elements or reviewing the assumptions’ underlying an innovative project. At an early stage of project formulation, an adequately designed M&E system clarifies M&E functions and results in cost effective M&E that will contribute to successful project management.

The intrinsic relationship between project design and M&E requires more attention than given hitherto. The design is the formal network which establishes in advance the indented the assumptions on which the project or program is based, the detailed work plan with targets and the means of measuring progress. It follows then that design and M&E need to be considered together. A project cannot be evaluated unless its objectives have been clearly stated in detail at the design stage.

Once a project management unit has been established and the staff appointed, including the M&E staff, the tasks that need to be carried out in a logical/sequential order are as follows, organized by level. At the project level, these tasks may be better carded out by M&E staff under the guidance of and in close collaboration with the M&E staff at the department/ministry yet, if available, and/or with the assistance of qualified advisors/ consultants from competent institutions, either internal or external.

A) Project Level

1) Developing a hierarchy of project objectives and determining critical activities, processes, inputs and outputs

The M&E unit should carefully study the...