Basic M&E
Concepts
Session Objectives
Know the essentials of monitoring and
evaluation (M&E)
Review the basic concepts of M&E
Understand the link between program design
and M&E
Apply skill on formulating the results chain
2
Essentials of Monitoring and Evaluation
• Monitoring and evaluation are essentially the core
processes for “learning from experience”
• Learning implies a process of analysis which, in turn,
requires the existence of relevant information or
evidence on which to base the analysis
• The primary function of M&E is to provide pointers on
how to do things better through a better understanding of
what works and what does not
Source: Official Statistics and Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Developing Countries: Friends or Foes? By Roger Edmunds and
Tim Marchant
History of the Evolution and Growth of M&E in Development
In the 1970s
• M&E is essentially project-based
• Common practice for larger projects each
to maintain their own individual M&E unit
Source: Official Statistics and Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Developing Countries: Friends or Foes? By Roger Edmunds and
Tim Marchant
History of the Evolution and Growth of M&E in Development
• Main purpose of M&E to serve as a
management tool to provide timely feedback and
give warning whether the project is on track or
not
• Focus of interest on the monitoring of inputs and
outputs - largely extracted from administrative
records
Source: Official Statistics and Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Developing Countries: Friends or Foes? By Roger Edmunds and
Tim Marchant
History of the Evolution and Growth of M&E
in Development
In the 1980s
• Re-centering of many M&E activities from the project level
to the sectoral level
• Results-based management gains popularity
• Shift in emphasis away from the monitoring of inputs and
outputs to the measurement of “results” – a much more
difficult task involving collection of data from the
beneficiaries themselves
Source: Official Statistics and Monitoring and Evaluation Systems in Developing Countries: Friends or Foes? By Roger Edmunds and
Tim Marchant
M&E and its Links to Planning
Project Strategy (Logframe, Results Framework, etc)
(plan for what will be achieved and how it will be achieved)
basis basis
for mutual refinements for
The M&E System Detailed
information Operational
Developing the Plan (PoO)
M&E Plan
Continuous refinement
Gathering and field Implementation
data
Managing
information
Reflecting Project Outputs,
to Improve Action Outcomes and
Impacts
Reporting and
Communicating
Results
Improvements through M&E
7
Adapted from IFAD, 2011
M&E Definition
Monitoring is a continuous and systematic collection and
analysis of data on specified indicators to compare how
well a program or project is being implemented against
expected results. (Are we achieving our targets?)
Evaluation is the systematic and objective assessment
of the design, implementation and results of an
ongoing or completed program or project. (Are we
achieving our objectives?)
Source: OECD, 2002 8
Monitoring vs Evaluation
M E
Routine Periodic
Ongoing Time-bound
Internal Internal, external
Collect info to Collect info to give
measure periodic feedback to
performance stakeholders
9
Purposes of M&E
Know the progress and results of project implementation
Identify implementation issues
Troubleshoot or adjust implementation plans
Build greater transparency and accountability
Provide management with a clear basis for decision
making
Learn lessons to improve future planning
Provide basis for giving awards and incentives (e.g.
SGH)
10
Results-Based M&E: Key Components
Clear results chain agreed with stakeholders
Structured set of performance indicators
Plan for data collection, integration & analysis
Mechanism for reporting and communicating results
Sound evaluation framework and methodology
Sustainable institutional set up for M&E
11
Traditional vs Results-based M&E
Results-based M&E
INPUT ACTIVITY OUTPUT OUTCOME IMPACT
Traditional M&E
12
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
11 2 3 4 5 6 7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
13
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
11 2 3 4 5 6 7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
14
Step 1: Agree on a Results Framework
• Provide direction as it defines targeted results of a
capacity development program/project
• Establish cause-effect relationships of a capacity
development program/project
• Scope the effects of a capacity development
program/project
• Gain consensus on the targeted results and scope of a
capacity development program/project
Results Chain
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
1 22 3 4 5 6 7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
16
Step 2: Establish Indicators
• Describe performance indicators
• Provide operational definitions of indicators
• Determine quantitative or qualitative unit of
measurements
Evaluation Plan
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
1 2 33 4 5 6 7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
18
Step 3: Baseline Data and Select Results Target
• Establish baseline data on indicators
• Identify data source
• Build baseline data
• Determine and define performance targets
• Design data collection methods
Baseline Information and Targets
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
1 2 3 44 5 6 7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
20
Step 4: Formulate the M& E Plan
• Describe the elements of an M&E Plan
• Describe how to put together a system to get the
necessary data to better inform the decision making
process
• Obtain data for the different performance indicators
• Identify reasons for success or failure of
implementation strategies
• Identify approaches to continuously improve the
program/project
M&E Plan
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
1 2 3 4 55 6 7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
22
Step 5: Evaluate and Integrate M& E Findings
• Assess adequacy, appropriateness, effectiveness and
relevance of results attained
• Compare actual performance vs targets
• Determine areas of strength and areas of
improvement
• Analyze factors that facilitate or hinder the
attainment of targeted results
• Determine actionable next steps to enhance the
design or implementation of the capacity
development program
• Report results data as useful information
• Make general observations about current situation of
the institution being evaluated and the degree to
which desired outcomes of the program are being
achieved
• Submit recommendations for future consideration
and implementation of CapDev programs
M&E Report
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
1 2 3 4 5 66 7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
25
Step 6: Communicate the M& E Findings
• Map out a communication plan for
disseminating M&E findings
• Consider the uses of results findings
• Manage and act on M&E findings
• Determine strategies for sharing information
M&E Communication Plan
Key Steps Towards a Results-based M&E
Baseline Data and Evaluate &
Agree on a Results Select Results Sustain the
Integrate M&E
Framework Targets Findings M&E System
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
7
Establish Formulate the Communicate
M&E Plan M&E Findings
Indicators
27
Step 7: Sustain the M& E System
• Examine six critical components of sustaining M&E
systems
Demand
Clear roles and responsibilities
Trustworthy and credible information
Accountability
Capacity
Incentives
Key Points to remember
• Monitoring and evaluation are distinct yet
complementary concepts that need to be
prioritized by an organization to determine the
outcome of program implementation
• Setting up of M&E system is done at the start
of program design and must include all
stakeholders in the process
Key Points to remember
• M&E should be done at the input, output and
outcome level of program implementation
• The RBME framework will help establish greater
transparency and accountability in the generation
of targeted results through the results
chain/storyboard
M & E Framework of the
Devolution Transition Plan
COMPONENTS OF LGUs
DTPs
Phasing of Local
State of Capacity
Assumption Organizatio Revenue Performance
Devolved Developme
of nal Forecast Targets for
Functions, nt Agenda
Functions, Structure and Devolved
Services, and
Services, and Staffing Resource Functions
and Requiremen
and Pattern Mobilization and Services
Facilities* ts*
Facilities* Strategy
*Applicable for barangays
