Development programmes and projects are implemented in a Results-Based Management (RBM) accountability framework. Such programmes and projects need to demonstrate achievement of measurable positive and sustainable changes to a current undesirable situation which usually is context and country specific and therefore unique. Hence the design of development programmes and projects is preceded by extensive participatory planning in order to set achievable and realistic outcomes and outputs for its implementation stage. Systematically monitoring and evaluating projects against indicators and targets that are set in the design and planning phases enable managers to increase the chances that they succeed in producing the expected results and sustainable changes. Projects are implemented in a constantly evolving environment which means for managers uncertainty and need for adaptation. Monitoring the project progress and its changing environment is critical to ensure that projects once started will always proceed in the right direction. Collecting and analysing data on project progress and its environment is indispensable in order to report accurate information to decision-makers thereby improving the likelihood that appropriate decisions and corrective actions are taken when needed to maintain the project on track. The uniqueness of each project's context and strategy makes them experiential and requires from managers an on-going learning effort. In this respect, evaluating projects helps managers to identify gaps, success stories and lessons learnt that could improve the way future interventions are designed and implemented. Development projects are commonly financed through public funds. Thus, donors and managers are accountable to tax-payers and beneficiaries. Assessing "value for money" of development assistance is a function that monitoring and evaluation systems should incorporate. Evaluating projects relevance, impact, effectiveness, efficiency and sustainability is necessary to maximise learning, to improve project management processes and to demonstrate to partners, value for money. Today, managers implementing development projects and programmes must understand these realities and requirements of monitoring and evaluation and be equipped with the management tools and techniques necessary to establish and operate an effective project monitoring and evaluation system. This training aims at providing skills to managers to face these challenges.
This workshop targets monitoring and evaluation specialists, project coordinators, programme managers, independent evaluators, donor staff appraising and evaluating projects and programmes, non-government organization officials involved in monitoring and evaluating projects and programmes. The workshop is designed to cover realities of a variety of sectors and addresses managers of both, 'hard' and 'soft' projects. Participants should be fluent in English.
The main objective of the training is to impart the technical and managerial skills and training
competencies needed for effective monitoring and evaluation of development projects and programmes.
Participants who successfully complete the training can expect to improve or enhance their knowledge and skills to perform the following monitoring and evaluation related actions:
The workshop is conducted using a highly participatory training delivery methodology through a combination of interactive presentations by subject-matter specialists, group discussions, quizzes, case studies and group works for applying skills to design and run a project monitoring and evaluation system.
The workshop will cover the following topics;