Monitoring and Evaluation Concepts and Practice
Mirror, Mirror on the Wall
Reflections on Monitoring and Evaluation[1]
Revisiting M&E
I believe that monitoring and evaluation systems of organizations should be like the mirror of the Queen (Snow White’s adversary). That mirror always presented the truth, no matter what circumstance. As such, it was a device that could release people from their illusions. It was a gadget that could open people’s minds and could enlighten them to seek meaningful changes in their lives.
In the same manner, monitoring and evaluation systems (M&E) have the power to unravel things that organizations need to know about themselves so that they could more freely move towards where they want to go. M&E systems could tell organizations what their strengths are, what weighs them down, and what they can improve on. They are potent management tools that could make organizations become more dynamic and resilient in facing challenges …
How M&E could accomplish these feats is the plot of this paper. But before moving any further, it is important to first lay down definitions and basic concepts about monitoring and evaluation.
Monitoring
Monitoring is the process of gathering, filing, and accessing information that will enable the organization:
1. determine the progress of implementation of a plan; and
2. make timely decisions to ensure that progress is maintained according to targets. What Should Be Monitored?
1. The Delivery of Services to the Target Groups
This includes: >the timing of the delivery of services, >the process by which the services are delivered, and >the resources (human, financial, physical) used in delivering the services
1. The Immediate Effects of These Services
Finding out if the outputs generated from delivering the services are according to expectations in terms of quality and
Reflections on Monitoring and Evaluation[1]
Revisiting M&E
I believe that monitoring and evaluation systems of organizations should be like the mirror of the Queen (Snow White’s adversary). That mirror always presented the truth, no matter what circumstance. As such, it was a device that could release people from their illusions. It was a gadget that could open people’s minds and could enlighten them to seek meaningful changes in their lives.
In the same manner, monitoring and evaluation systems (M&E) have the power to unravel things that organizations need to know about themselves so that they could more freely move towards where they want to go. M&E systems could tell organizations what their strengths are, what weighs them down, and what they can improve on. They are potent management tools that could make organizations become more dynamic and resilient in facing challenges …
How M&E could accomplish these feats is the plot of this paper. But before moving any further, it is important to first lay down definitions and basic concepts about monitoring and evaluation.
Monitoring
Monitoring is the process of gathering, filing, and accessing information that will enable the organization:
1. determine the progress of implementation of a plan; and
2. make timely decisions to ensure that progress is maintained according to targets. What Should Be Monitored?
1. The Delivery of Services to the Target Groups
This includes: >the timing of the delivery of services, >the process by which the services are delivered, and >the resources (human, financial, physical) used in delivering the services
1. The Immediate Effects of These Services
Finding out if the outputs generated from delivering the services are according to expectations in terms of quality and