Learning and Evaluation/Archive/Learning modules/2Monitoring

Jump to page

Part 1. Overview: Program Evaluation Basics Overview; A Note about Words; What is a Program?; Understanding Programs; What is Program Evaluation?; Why is evaluation important?
Part 2. Stages of Evaluation: The Cycle and Stages of Evaluation; The Tasks of Each Evaluation Stage
Part 3. Types of Evaluation: Types of Evaluation; Needs Assessment; Feasibility Assessment; Monitoring; Context Evaluation; Formative/Process Evaluation; Summative Evaluation; Impact Evaluation
Feedback

Program Evaluation Basics Menu

Monitoring

Stages Involved

Completion & Feedback		Identification

Implementation		Design

Key question:

Did we do what we set out to do?

Captures and tracks a program's:

inputs — in terms of time and tangible resources
outputs — in terms of activities, participation, or direct products

Monitoring is helpful as a method of accountability, both within one's team or with external partners to make sure a program will meet target benchmarks on the way to the planned outcomes.

Evaluation in Action: Monitoring

The Wikimedia chapter decided to move forward with their Wiki Loves Monuments with a theme of small and rural towns during the month of September. They realized that they needed to know —while the program was taking place— whether they would meet their set targets by the end of the month.

Monitoring is typically focused on the progress of both the preparation and execution of one's program. For example, how much volunteer effort was going into planning the event? Did they reach the number of volunteers we needed? Are the travels to small towns productive? What was the result of these activities in terms of participation or photo uploads at the beginning of September? Mid-september? End of September? Did they get the 20 participants they wanted?

The chapter prepares a Monitoring report with all this information to present at their weekly meeting to discuss their progress towards their goals.