Donors and boards increasingly ask for real-time evidence of results, while communities expect agencies to listen and respond to feedback. Meeting both demands requires MEAL teams to move beyond static spreadsheets and annual reports. Without clean data, clear indicators and well-designed dashboards, project managers cannot see slippage early, and evaluation questions go unanswered for lack of trustworthy evidence.

The Data and Analytics for Digital MEAL, Dashboards & Data Quality Training Course gives participants the technical and analytical skills to make data a working tool. It begins with linking the results framework to data flows and indicator reference sheets, then examines how digital collection platforms capture and store information. Participants learn to clean and shape data, check it against quality dimensions such as accuracy, completeness, timeliness and consistency, and analyse it with simple but defensible methods. Dashboard design follows: choosing the right charts, setting filters and writing short narrative insights for decision makers.

Most of the week is spent at the computer with realistic project datasets. Participants complete a dashboard connected to a sample data source, a data quality checklist for their own programme and a short plan for turning findings into learning events and management decisions.

By the end of the programme, participants will be able to:

• Link indicators in a results framework to data sources, collection tools and reporting flows.
• Import and combine data from mobile collection platforms, databases and spreadsheets.
• Clean, transform and validate datasets using Excel and Power BI tools.
• Conduct data quality assessments against standard dimensions and document findings.
• Analyse disaggregated indicator data to find trends, gaps and outliers.
• Design clear, accessible dashboards for different audiences.
• Apply data protection and ethical principles to beneficiary and feedback data.
• Use dashboard evidence to run learning reviews and adaptive management decisions.

The programme is suitable for people who produce or use programme data, including:

• MEAL officers, specialists and managers
• Programme and project coordinators
• Data and information management officers
• Research and learning advisers
• Donor reporting and grants staff
• Government monitoring and planning officers
• Health and nutrition programme data clerks and supervisors
• Consultants supporting evaluation and performance reporting

Participants leave the programme with:

• A working indicator dashboard built from a realistic dataset.
• A reusable data cleaning routine with documented steps.
• A data quality assessment checklist and scoring sheet for their programme.
• Indicator reference sheets linked to collection tools and data owners.
• A data protection checklist for sensitive programme data.
• A plan for regular learning reviews that use dashboard evidence.

The week is lab-based, with every concept applied to data. Participants will encounter:

• Guided demonstrations followed by individual computer exercises
• Sample project datasets modelled on health, livelihoods and education programmes
• Pair review of data quality findings and dashboard drafts
• Short discussions of ethical dilemmas in handling beneficiary data
• A closing demonstration in which each person presents their dashboard

A CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion, issued by Vision Reach Global Consultancy, is presented to participants who attend the programme and finish the practical labs.