Result Management

RESULTS-BASED MONITORING

Results-based monitoring is a continuous process of collecting and analyzing information to compare how well a project, program, or policy is being implemented against expected results.

Key Features of Implementation Monitoring versus Results Monitoring:

i. Elements of Implementation Monitoring (Traditionally used for projects)

* Description of the problem or situation before the intervention.

* Benchmarks for activities and immediate outputs.

* Data collection on inputs, activities, and immediate outputs.

* Systematic reporting on provision of inputs.

* Systematic reporting on production of outputs.

* Directly linked to a discrete intervention (or series of interventions).

* Designed to provide information on administrative, implementation, and management issues as opposed to broader development effectiveness issues.

ii. Elements of Results Monitoring (Used for a range of interventions and strategies)

* Baseline data to describe the problem or situation before the intervention.

* Indicators for outcomes.

* Data collection on outputs and how and whether they contribute toward achievement of outcomes.

* More focus on perceptions of change among stakeholders.

* Systemic reporting with more qualitative and quantitative information on the progress toward outcomes.

* Done in conjunction with strategic partners.

* Captures information on success or failure of partnership strategy in achieving desired outcomes.

Source: Adapted from Fukuda-Parr, Lopes, and Malik, 2002.

RESULTS-BASED EVALUATION

Results-based evaluation is an assessment of a planned, ongoing, or

Completed intervention to determine its relevance, efficiency, effectiveness,

Impact and sustainability

Evaluation focuses on expected and achieved accomplishments, examining the results chain, processes, and casualties in order to understand achievements or lack thereof.

Evaluation aims at determining the relevance/appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability of the interventions and contributions of the organizations.

Evaluation is to be decided during the initial planning process.

It requires planning and may need the involvement of external evaluators.

It is based on the set of indicators set during the initial planning process.

Difference between Results-Based Monitoring and Evaluation

* Monitoring is focused on tracking evidence of movement towards the achievement of specific, predetermined targets

* Evaluation takes a broader view of an intervention, considering not only progress towards stated goals, but the logic of the initiative, as well as its consequences

* Both are needed for better management of Policies, programs, and projects

Importance of Result based Monitoring and Evaluation

1. Growing pressures in developing countries to improve performance of public sectors.

2. Tracks results of government actions over time.

3. Is a management tool

Complementary Roles of Monitoring and Evaluation

Monitoring

* Clarifies program objectives

* Links activities and their resources to objectives

* Translates objectives into performance indicators and sets targets

* Routinely collects data on these indicators, compares actual results with targets

* Reports progress to managers and alerts them to problems

Evaluation

* Analyzes why intended results were or were not achieved

* Assesses specific causal contributions of activities to results

* Examines implementation process

* Explores unintended results

* Provides lessons, highlights, significant accomplishment or program potential, and offers recommendations for improvement

Comparison between Traditional & Result based M&E

Traditional M&E involves Inputs, Activities, and Outputs.

Results-Based M & E combines traditional with assessment of outcomes and impacts; and, it allows organization to modify and make adjustments to theory of change implementation processes.

Applications for Results-Based M&E

1. Project, Program, and Policy Applications: Results-based M&E systems have been successfully designed and used to monitor and evaluate at all levels of the project, program, and policy. Information and data can be collected and analyzed at any and all levels to provide feedback at many points in time. In this way, the information can be used to better inform key decision makers, the general public, and other stakeholders.

2. Internal and External Applications: a functioning M&E system provides a continuous flow of information that is useful both internally and externally. The internal uses come into play as the information from the M&E system is used as a crucial management tool for the public sector manager in achieving results and meeting specific targets. Information on progress, problems, and performance are all key factors to a public manager striving to achieve results. Likewise, the information from an M&E system is important to those outside the public sector who are expecting results, wanting to see demonstrable impacts from government action (and tax monies), and hoping to build trust in a government that is striving to better