Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring and evaluation is often treated as a reporting duty rather than a management tool. Results frameworks confuse activities with outcomes, indicators have no baseline or clear definition, data arrives late and cannot be trusted, and evaluations are commissioned at the end when little can still change. Reports are produced, but decisions are not informed by them.

This programme builds an M&E system that serves management. It moves through five stages: designing the results logic, defining indicators and targets, collecting and assuring data, planning and managing evaluations, and using findings for reporting, learning and decision-making.

Built on recognised practice. The programme references results-based management principles, theory of change and logical framework approaches, the OECD DAC evaluation criteria, the UNEG Norms and Standards for Evaluation and established practice in mixed-methods evaluation and data quality assessment. They are applied to government, corporate and development programmes alike.

Decisions this programme improves. Which results a programme should be held accountable for; which indicators are worth the cost of collecting; when a programme needs a mid-term review or a full evaluation; which evaluation design is proportionate; and how findings should change budgets, priorities and implementation.

How it is delivered. Twenty hours across five sessions, built around one running case: a public service improvement programme for which participants build a theory of change, an indicator framework, a data collection plan, an evaluation terms of reference and a management dashboard.

In-house option. For organisations, the programme can be tailored to your own strategy, KPI system, programmes and reporting requirements, and can produce an M&E framework ready for use.

Who Should Attend

M&E officers and specialists: staff who design and run monitoring and evaluation systems

Programme and project managers: managers accountable for delivering and reporting results

Strategy and performance management staff: team members who manage KPIs and strategic plans

Government planning and policy officers: staff who track national and sector programmes

Development and social sector professionals: staff in NGOs, foundations and CSR functions

Objectives

Explain the difference between monitoring, evaluation, performance management and audit

Build a theory of change and a logical framework that separate activities, outputs, outcomes and impact

Define indicators with clear definitions, baselines, targets, data sources and frequency

Prepare an M&E plan with roles, budget and a data collection calendar

Select suitable quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and sampling approaches

Assess and improve data quality using validity, reliability, timeliness and completeness checks

Apply the OECD DAC criteria to frame evaluation questions

Choose a proportionate evaluation design, including contribution analysis and comparison group approaches

Write terms of reference and manage an evaluation from inception to management response

Present M&E findings in dashboards and reports that lead to decisions and learning

Course Outline

Foundations of Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring, evaluation, performance management and audit compared
Results-based management and the results chain
Accountability and learning as purposes of M&E
Linking programme results to national and organisational strategies
Stakeholders and their information needs
Ethics, independence and data protection in M&E

Designing the Results Framework

Theory of change: assumptions, pathways and risks
The logical framework and results matrix
Writing outcome and impact statements
Indicator selection and specification
Baselines, targets and milestones
Indicator reference sheets and the M&E plan

Collecting, Managing and Assuring Data

Quantitative methods: surveys, administrative data and sampling
Qualitative methods: interviews, focus groups and observation
Digital data collection tools and mobile surveys
Data quality assessment and verification
Data management, storage and confidentiality
Analysing monitoring data and spotting early warning signs

Planning and Managing Evaluations

Types of evaluation: formative, mid-term, final and ex-post
Evaluation questions and the OECD DAC criteria
Evaluation designs: experimental, quasi-experimental and theory-based approaches
Contribution analysis and outcome harvesting
Writing terms of reference and selecting evaluators
Quality assurance and the UNEG Norms and Standards

Using Findings for Decisions and Learning

Reporting for different audiences
Dashboards and data visualisation for managers
Management response and follow-up of recommendations
Learning reviews and adaptive management
Responsible use of analytics and AI tools in M&E
Action plan: strengthening the M&E system in your organisation

Competencies

Theory of change and logical framework design

Indicator specification and target setting

M&E planning and budgeting

Quantitative and qualitative data collection

Data quality assessment

Evaluation design and evaluation questions

Evaluation commissioning and management

Results reporting and dashboards

Learning and adaptive management

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