Monitoring and evaluation helps quantify the attainment of program goals and sub-goals:
- whether the actions were implemented as planned – as conducted in Step 3;
- whether assumptions made during identification of the problem and its context (Step 1) were correct;
- whether the actions have resulted in risk reductions; and
- whether new information has emerged that requires a strengthening and/or modification to the risk management plan.
Monitoring and Evaluation also prompts fresh thinking within organizations and their contacts with external stakeholders.
Why Conduct a Monitoring and/or Evaluation?
As the emphasis on managing for results increases, the demand for rigorous and evidence-based evaluations is rising.
Funders and other stakeholders want to know whether a project has spent its money appropriately and desired outcomes have been achieved.
To address accountability, a monitoring and an evaluation helps to address questions such as:
- has the project worked?
- how have resources been spent?
- should the project continue?
To find lessons learned, an evaluation helps to address the following questions:
- what are the project's strengths and weaknesses?
- what are the implementation problems?
- why have things worked, or not?
- what are the good practice issues?
