community participatory monitoring and evaluation

1. PARTICIPATORY
MONITORING AND
EVALUATION

2. Monitoring refers to keeping track of the implementation
of a project. It involves the study of the progress of an
undertaking in relation to the agreed-upon schedule,
resources, and performance indicators. Moreover, it
identifies “lagging areas” that require intervention.
Monitoring is also defined as the management function
guiding the project towards its intended directions, and
checking the performance of workers using predetermined
plans and targets to ensure their timely completion.

3. Furthermore, monitoring is the implementation of
effective internal controls that are generally built into
daily operational activities. Along with other procedures,
monitoring can be in any of the following forms:
1. Assessment of one’s daily operational activities
2. Utilization of internal audit personnel or other
similar personnel who perform a wide range of
functions
3. Correspondence with the third parties
4. Implementation of additional safeguards

4. Monitoring is a type of process performed while a project
is being implemented. It aims to develop a project design
in real time. The information gathered during the
monitoring is used to make important changes in the
project. As an interval activity, it provides constant
feedback on the progress of a project.
Example: the problems it encounters and the efficiency of
its implementation

5. Evaluation is the study of the project outcome and the
factors that led to such an outcome (e.g., changes in
income, housing quality, benefits distribution, and cost-
effectiveness), with the aim of improving the design of
future project.
Evaluation is, therefore, used in selection. Evaluation
studies assess the extent to which a certain project can
produce certain result and distribute benefits among
different groups. It also includes a review of the overall
cost-effectiveness of the project.

6. Monitoring and evaluation are neither expensive nor
complicated. They do not require specialists or
technicians. The complexity of these studies can be
adapted to fit the needs of a program.

7. According to Luna and Bawagan (2009), monitoring is
done during the implementation of a program to check it
progress. The people’s participation and their candid
feedback are important during this phase. Some guiding
questions used for monitoring are as follows:
1. Was the target number of training participants
achieved on time?
2. How does the actual number of training participants
compare vis-à-vis the target number?
3. Were the required resources available?

8. Meanwhile, evaluation is identifying the effects and
outcomes of a project. Conducting an evaluation at the end
of a project or a few years after its implementation would
involve the following questions:
1. What improvement of the people arose from the
project?
2. Did the project improve the people?

9. Monitoring Outcomes
Monitoring outputs has been a standard practice for a
long time. However, it is imperative to ask, “In what way
is a project beneficial to its target group?” and “What are
the outcomes, results, and the impacts of a project?” These
questions are often neglected because they are difficult to
answer. However, confronting them is essential because
the question of whether or not a project is beneficial will
answer the question whether or not the purpose of the
project fulfilled.

10. Monitoring Accountability
It has been proven that the continuous monitoring and
recording of information regarding the outcome and
impact of a project are crucial in project steering because
they fine-tune activities, thereby, maximizing results.

11. Providers are expected to have their projects constantly
monitored and evaluated by the project implementers and
outside experts. Constant monitoring and evaluation
provide more immediate feedback and facilitate learning.
Having an external evaluator is considered to be desirable
and very helpful in bringing out insights coming from an
independent and objective perspective.

12. Evaluation is process of systematically assessing the
design, implementation, and effect of certain programs,
policies or projects. In the past, the evaluation process
employed research methods used in the social sciences to
determine the impact of public programs and policies.
Modern evaluation has its roots in the 1960s, when
government policy makers wanted to know the impact of
new public programs.

13. Participatory Evaluation
Participatory evaluation involves the active participation
of the stakeholders in assessing the implementation and
impact of a project. The people concerned present their
own analyses. Here are some techniques that can be used
in participatory evaluation:
1. Forming a focus group
2. Spearheading participatory action research
3. Drawing metaphor
4. Constructing tables

14. 1. Forming a focus group
Focus groups are groups of people who ask open-ended
questions. The members are allowed to say anything and
be heard. The facilitator will summarize the ideas
presented in an overall evaluation.

15. 2. Spearheading participatory action research
Participatory action research involves asking inputs from
both the researchers and the participants in determining
issues and concerns.

16. 3. Drawing metaphors
This method is useful for participants who are shy, timid,
or reluctant to voice out their comments or suggestions. In
this strategy, the participants answer evaluative
questions by drawing metaphors or word description.

17. 4. Constructing tables
In this method, the participants construct a table or
framework that includes the following areas:
objectives/goals, activities, time frames, strategies, and
outputs of the project. They are then asked to interpret
their project table as an evaluation matrix.

18. Reflection:
1. If you were given a chance to monitor a project, what
strategies would you use or apply?
2. Why is there a need to conduct monitoring and
evaluation, especially renewing projects?
3. What are the purpose of monitoring and evaluating a
project?