Monitoring & evaluation: Some tools, methods & approaches

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of development
activities provides government officials,
development managers, and civil society with better means for learning from
past experience, improving service delivery, planning and allocating resources,
and demonstrating results as part of accountability to key stakeholders.
Within the development community there is a strong focus on results—
this helps explain the growing interest in M&E. Yet there is often confusion
about what M&E entails. The purpose of this M&E Overview is to strengthen
awareness and interest in M&E, and to clarify what it entails.
You will find an overview of a sample of M&E tools, methods, and
approaches outlined here, including their purpose and use; advantages and
disadvantages; costs, skills, and time required; and key references. Those illustrated
here include several data collection methods, analytical frameworks, and
types of evaluation and review. The M&E Overview discusses:
? Performance indicators
? The logical framework approach
? Theory-based evaluation
? Formal surveys
? Rapid appraisal methods
? Participatory methods
? Public expenditure tracking surveys
? Cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analysis
? Impact evaluation