PCM: Monitoring and Evaluation
Managers need to have a clear picture of the process of the multiple projects or programmes for which they are responsible. They need to keep track of the progress of the development interventions under implementation and make sure that their portfolio reflects their organisations' policy guidelines.
An adequate monitoring & evaluation system is an essential management tool that enhances efficient and effective management of both the individual projects and the portfolio as a whole.
Course Objectives
In the first part of this course, you will learn how to develop a monitoring system. This system gives relevant information for orienting the project portfolio at all stages of the project cycle, and more particularly for those projects that are in the implementation process.
Afterwards, you will learn how to organise and conduct evaluations in order to make as a portfolio manager optimal use of the results for individual projects and the portfolio as a whole.
Participants
This course is open to staff of development organisations involved in the preparation, supervision, coordination and guidance of development projects and programmes in one or more phases of the project/programme cycle.
These project or portfolio managers include desk officers, programme officers, staff from resident representation offices and managers of financing and implementing agencies.
Participants are supposed to be familiar with the logical framework approach through trainings or hands-on
experience.
Course Content
Monitoring
The course will first focus on the portfolio manager's responsibilities during the different phases of the project
cycle.
To enable project monitoring, stress will consequently be put on the planning indicators which have to be precisely defined as a part of the logical framework. The portfolio manager will have to define his/her own information needs related to the progress of projects under implementation before determining the information flows related to monitoring.
The use of indicators will enhance the quality of the overview and the comparison between interventions.
The collection, processing and translation of data into appropriate progress reports, which are important for those involved in project implementation and in evaluation missions, is a final part to deal with during the monitoring process.
Evaluation
You will be introduced to different types of evaluation and invited to consider stakeholder interests and performance
indicators (e.g. efficiency, effectiveness and impact). You will then learn how to succinctly define the purpose of a
specific evaluation and its function in the portfolio management.
Skills practice include the preparation and the carrying out of project evaluations. Participants will learn how to
draft Terms of Reference and how to build and lead an evaluation team. A final topic will be the assessment and
effective use of evaluation reports.
Training Method
The training method used is highly participatory. The trainers will propose theoretical tools and analysis models which will be linked to day-to-day practice through practical exercises based on case material brought in by the client. Standard case material can also be provided by MDF.
During this process, the trainers will stimulate discussions and the exchange of practical experiences and know-how between participants.
Our participative and interactive method enables to:
• take into account the expectations of the participants
• alternate theory and practice with exchange of information and experience
• alternate group work with personal brainstorming
• control the intervention of participants, which are foreseen at precise moments
Indicative Course Outline
Duration and course content are adapted to the client's needs and expectations.
An example of a course outline is hereunder.
| Monday | Monitoring of a project portfolio at all stages of the project cycle Planning indicators in the logical framework |
| Tuesday | Inter- and intra- organisational analysis Defining monitoring information needs |
| Wednesday |
Supply of information : conceptualising a system |
| Thursday |
Introduction to evaluation |
| Friday |
Steering an evaluation |
Registration
MDF Brussels delivers this training only on tailor made basis for organisations*.
It is our role to target your organisation's requests. We will be happy to identify with you a training programme that meets your needs.
Please contact us.
* Open inscription courses on this topic for individual participants are organised by MDF in the Netherlands and by our various other branch offices. We refer individual participants who wish to attend this course to the MDF group website for further details and on-line registration.
