Development funding is under closer scrutiny than ever. Governments, foundations and multilateral agencies expect implementers to demonstrate results rather than report activities, and weak monitoring and evaluation is a leading reason for audit queries, delayed disbursements and lost proposals. Within projects themselves, poor data means managers steer by guesswork, and communities rarely hear what their participation achieved.

This programme follows the project cycle from design to closure. Participants start with problem analysis, theory of change and the logical framework, then develop indicators, baselines and targets. They design monitoring plans, data collection tools, data quality reviews and reporting formats, before moving to evaluation planning, the OECD-DAC criteria, evaluation questions, methods, ethics and the use of findings in adaptive management.

Teaching is applied. Participants work on sample project documents, build their own results frameworks and critique real indicator sets, with attention to the practical limits of small teams, tight budgets and remote field sites. By the end they will have a draft monitoring and evaluation plan for a project in their own organisation, with an indicator reference sheet, a data flow map and an outline evaluation terms of reference.

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

• Develop a theory of change and logical framework that link activities to outputs, outcomes and impact.
• Write SMART indicators with clear definitions, baselines, targets and means of verification.
• Design a monitoring plan with data collection tools, schedules and responsibilities.
• Apply sampling and data quality assessment methods to strengthen the reliability of project data.
• Plan an evaluation using the OECD-DAC criteria and well-framed evaluation questions.
• Choose suitable qualitative and quantitative methods for outcome and impact assessment.
• Report findings clearly and convert them into management responses and learning.

The programme suits staff who plan, run or commission results measurement, including:

• Monitoring and evaluation officers and specialists
• Project and programme managers in NGOs and development agencies
• Planning and policy officers in government ministries and county governments
• Donor programme officers and grant managers
• Research and learning advisers
• Community development and field coordinators
• Consultants preparing proposals and evaluation reports
• Internal auditors reviewing project performance

Participants leave with:

• A draft logframe and theory of change for a project of their choice.
• An indicator reference sheet template with definitions, disaggregation and data sources.
• A monitoring plan outline covering tools, frequency, data flow and responsibilities.
• A data quality checklist for field verification visits.
• Outline terms of reference for a mid-term or final evaluation.
• A practical approach for sharing findings so that teams actually use them.

The sessions are practical and based on project documents rather than theory alone, through:

• Short briefings on each stage of the results chain
• Group work reviewing and rebuilding logframes from live project examples
• Hands-on indicator and tool design clinics
• Role play in evaluation scoping meetings with a commissioner and evaluator
• Individual coaching on the participant's own project plan

On completing all sessions and the practical exercises, delegates are awarded a CPD-accredited Certificate of Completion by Vision Reach Global Consultancy.