Developing a Monitoring &
Evaluation Plan
MEASURE Evaluation
Learning Objectives
At the end of this session, participants will be
able to:
State the function of an M&E Plan as it relates to
project management. Answer the question: Why
do we need an M&E Plan?
List common definitions of M&E Plans and various
examples from experiences.
Summarize the process of using a M&E Plan and
list possible specific barriers to successful use.
Developing a Comprehensive
M&E Plan
What is a Monitoring &
Evaluation Plan?
What is a Monitoring &
Evaluation Plan?
A document that defines M&E concepts, roles,
responsibilities and describes how a specific
M&E systems should function during a
determined period of time.
What is a Monitoring & Evaluation
Plan?
Provides structure to M&E
Explains the overall purpose & scope of the M&E in
your organization
Organizes, systemizes, & integrates M&E
It’s the what, the who, why, when, and how in one
document
Communication tool
Why is it important?
Guides monitoring and evaluation activities:
M&E buy in
Efficiency – saves time
Effectiveness – doing what we want to do
Data management
Data Quality & Data Use
Preserves institutional memory
Develop a M&E Plan
Establish together (with the partners and
participants) a calendar for data
collection: what data will be collected,
when, where and by whom
Implement the plan!!
Monitor the plan
M&E Plan: Components
Introduction Implementation Plan
Vision & mission Indicators
Goals & Objectives Indicator Reference Sheets
Purpose of M&E Plan Data Quality Plan
M&E Team Reporting Plan & Data Use
Audience Analysis
M&E Frameworks Evaluation Plan
Mechanisms to update M&E
Other Frameworks plan
Logical (Results) Framework
The M&E Plan Introduction:
Laying the foundation
M&E Plan Components:
Introduction Section
Mission and/or Vision Statement
Define program goal & objectives
Background / Context
Funding mechanisms
Stating the purpose
M&E Team
Audience Analysis
Mission and/or Vision
Statement
What is a Vision
What is a Mission
Statement?
Examples?
Goals -see handout-
Present the desired outcomes, accomplishments, result or
purpose sought (not the process!)
Capture broad changes in conditions, answers the “so
what” question (So… we trained 100 people and
increased their knowledge but did or did they not change
their behavior?).
Often goals that reflect behavior, attitude or economic
change and show how our activities contribute toward a
larger development impact.
Usually reflect a result achieved in an intermediate time
period (2-5 years).
Objectives
Are linked directly to the goals and state the outputs--
information, products, processes, services or results you
hope to produce that will support attainment of the goal.
Reflect what you hope to produce by undertaking a
specific activity. For example: If you decide you want to
train people (the activity) then the objective will relate to
the knowledge you have increased.
Usually reflect a result achieved in a relatively short-time
period (0-2 years).
Objectives are SMART:
•Specific: The objective states a specific output to be
accomplished. The output is stated in numbers, percentages,
frequency, reach, scientific outcome, etc. The object is defined.
•Measurable: The objective can be measured and the
measurement source is identified.
•Achievable: The objective or expectation of what will be
accomplished is realistic given the time period, working conditions,
resources etc.
•Relevant: The output of the objective supports the goals sought in
the project.
•Time-bound: Clearly states when the objective will be
accomplished.
M&E Plan Development:
Laying the foundation
M&E Framework
Input Activity Output Outcomes Impact
•What goes •What you do •What you •What you •How activity
in… to reach your get from your get… down affects
•What you goal… activity… the road and population…
budget for.. •Each more involves long term.
activity may immediate some sort of •Relates to
have its own •Relates to change in Mission /
framework. your project behaviour, Vision
OBJECTIVES knowledge,
attitude…
•Relates to
your project
GOALS.
M&E Plan Development:
Implementing Your Plan
Implementation plan
Key Activities
Target Beneficiaries
Time Frame
Persons Responsible
Anticipated Results
Budget
M&E Plan Development: Indicators
Indicator information sheets
Indicator name, level, and responding result
Description: Definition, Unit of Measure,
Disaggregation, Justification
Plan for Acquisition
Data Quality
Data Analysis, Reviews, and Reporting
Indicator Values (target and actual)
Evaluation Plan
Enables you to evaluate why you have or have not
achieved the objectives and goals that were set for the
project.
Allows you to look at consequences, intended or
unintended.
Effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability.
Looks at the project overall: operations, governance and
deliverables.
Helps you identify the lessons learned and what you
would do better next time.
Evaluation Plan
What do we need to evaluate?
What do we want to know?
How will we obtain the data?
When will we get the data?
Who will do this?
M&E plan Development:
Information Use
Tools to facilitate appropriate and effective use of
program information
Managing Data Quality
Data Quality Plan
Identifying, analyzing, and managing threats to
data quality
M&E plan Development:
Additional Tools
Frameworks and more frameworks
Indicator Measurement Tools
Indicator, Name of Measurement Tool, and Tool
Reference Number
Monitoring Tools
Operational Area of concern
Name of tool, and reference number
Update Frequency
Reporting Plan
Target Setting Sheet
A M&E plan is the structure to your organization’s
operational house.
A monitoring and evaluation plan is a collaborative process that
must be built upon a solid foundation.
Factors That Affect Implementation
of M&E Plan
1. Technical Capacity of staff
2. Availability of MIS tools at field level
3. Interrupted of the flow of consistent data.
4. Stakeholder participation at all levels
5. An effective system in place for data collection,
analysis, and feedback.
6. Others???
BE STRATEGIC
Barriers to implementation
Are appropriate data systems in place?
Are there people assigned with specific
responsibilities?
Do sub-national stakeholders have incentive to
what will be asked of them?
Weather? Transport? Communications?
Etc…
M&E plan:
Making your plan work
Revisit, revise, adapt
Share, send for input
Questions ?????
GOOD LUCK ! ! !
MEASURE Evaluation is funded by the U.S. Agency for
International Development (USAID) through
Cooperative Agreement GPO-A-00-03-00003-00 and
is implemented by the Carolina Population Center at
the University of North Carolina in partnership with
Futures Group, John Snow, Inc., Macro International,
and Tulane University. Visit us online at
[Link]
