Practical Insights on Monitoring and Evaluation

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Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) in ICT4D Programs

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plays a critical role in ICT4D (Information and Communication Technologies for Development). M&E involves the systematic collection and analysis of data on the progress, impact, and effectiveness of ICTD projects and initiatives, in order to inform decision-making and improve performance.

The role of M&E in ICT4D includes:

  • Tracking progress: M&E helps to track the progress of ICTD projects and initiatives against predetermined benchmarks and targets, allowing for the identification of any issues or challenges that need to be addressed.
  • Assessing impact: M&E helps to assess the impact of ICTD projects and initiatives on the intended beneficiaries, including any changes in their well-being, opportunities, or quality of life.
  • Identifying best practices: M&E helps to identify best practices and lessons learned from ICTD projects and initiatives, which can be shared with others and used to inform the design and implementation of future projects.
  • Improving efficiency: M&E helps to identify areas for improvement and efficiency in the use of ICTs for development, allowing for the optimization of resources and the maximization of impact.

Overall, M&E is an essential component of ICTD, as it helps to ensure that projects and initiatives are being implemented effectively, efficiently, and sustainably, and are having the desired impact on the intended beneficiaries.

5 Insights from MERL Tech

5 Insights from MERL Tech

Published on: Jan 18 2016 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 5 Insights from MERL Tech
Recently, I had the opportunity to participate in the 2015 MERL Tech conference that brought together over 260 people from 157 different organizations. I joined...
The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Choosing an M&E Platform

The Trials, Tribulations, and Triumphs of Choosing an M&E Platform

Published on: Jan 11 2016 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
At the recent MERL Tech conference, Tania Lee (Caktus Group), Tom Walker (Engine Room), Laura Walker McDonald (SIMLab), and Lynnae Day (Oxfam America) led a session...
Do ICTs Make Evaluation More Inclusive Or More Extractive?

Do ICTs Make Evaluation More Inclusive Or More Extractive?

Published on: Jan 04 2016 by Linda Raftree - 1 Comment
ICTs can help make evaluation more inclusive, yet they also bring new challenges and new kinds of inequities and exclusion that we need to be aware of and solve...
Can Monitoring Drive a MERL-Led Future?

Can Monitoring Drive a MERL-Led Future?

Published on: Dec 25 2015 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Can Monitoring Drive a MERL-Led Future?
Angus Deaton, the economist and noted aid critic, was recently awarded the Nobel Prize in economics. In a speech following the award, AFP News reported that Deaton...
7 Tips for Better Digital M&E in Sustainable Development

7 Tips for Better Digital M&E in Sustainable Development

Published on: Dec 21 2015 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on 7 Tips for Better Digital M&E in Sustainable Development
With the landmark UN Sustainable Development Summit over, the discussion is now shifting to the question of how to operationalize the 17 ambitious goals in the...
Why Do Evaluations of eHealth Programs Fail?

Why Do Evaluations of eHealth Programs Fail?

Published on: Dec 09 2015 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Much has been written about why electronic health (eHealth) initiatives fail. Less attention has been paid to why evaluations of such initiatives fail to deliver...
How Can We Integrate M&E Across Sectors?

How Can We Integrate M&E Across Sectors?

Published on: Nov 30 2015 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
I was very excited to attend the MERL Tech Conference. I’m from Egypt and currently work at UNICEF, and one of our biggest challenges with development programs...
Sensors for MERL: What Works? What Does Not? What Have We Learned?

Sensors for MERL: What Works? What Does Not? What Have We Learned?

Published on: Nov 23 2015 by Guest Writer - 2 Comments
Sensors promise rapid insights into development programs. Exciting and quickly evolving technologies are expanding the range of what can be measured, while the...
What’s Your ICT4D Cyber Threat Model?

What’s Your ICT4D Cyber Threat Model?

Published on: Nov 18 2015 by Guest Writer - 1 Comment
Threat models can make ICT4D more secure and safe to use. In computer science, “threat modeling” is the approach of playing through attacks and hacks ahead...
Dashboards: A Force for Good, Great, or Greater Confusion?

Dashboards: A Force for Good, Great, or Greater Confusion?

Published on: Nov 09 2015 by Guest Writer - Comments Off on Dashboards: A Force for Good, Great, or Greater Confusion?
In this era of big data and real-time data sharing, projects and organizations are increasingly trying to organize their analytics with dashboards that share key...