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Home Course Comprehensive Course on Monitoring and Evaluation

Comprehensive Course on Monitoring and Evaluation

About the Course

Programmes and projects do not succeed by accident. They succeed because someone is paying attention, tracking progress, identifying problems early, measuring results, and using evidence to make better decisions. Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) is the discipline that makes this possible. It is not a bureaucratic requirement or an afterthought to programme design; it is a core management and accountability function that keeps interventions on track, supports course correction during implementation and generates the evidence needed to demonstrate impact. Without effective M&E, it is difficult to justify investment, demonstrate value for money, or make a convincing business case for a project or programme.

Despite its importance, M&E is frequently misunderstood, poorly designed, or inadequately resourced. Many organisations collect data without a clear framework for what to measure or why. Others produce M&E reports that sit on shelves rather than informing decisions. The gap between data collection and data use remains one of the most persistent challenges in the development, public health and government sectors. This course closes that gap.

This comprehensive M&E course provides participants with a rigorous grounding in M&E theory, frameworks, and practice — from the design of logical frameworks and indicator systems through to data collection, analysis, and the communication of findings to decision-makers and policymakers.

Course Objectives

This course is suitable for programme managers, M&E officers, development practitioners, government officials, and other professionals responsible for designing, implementing, or overseeing M&E systems. No prior M&E experience is required. The course equips participants with five core capabilities:

  • Meaning of M&E: Participants will develop a clear understanding of the philosophy, principles, and purpose of M&E. They will distinguish between monitoring and evaluation, understand different types of evaluation, and appreciate the role of M&E across different programmatic and institutional contexts.
  • M&E theory: Participants will understand the theory of change underpinning results-based management, construct logical frameworks that link programme inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes, and impact, and build comprehensive M&E frameworks that translate programme logic into a structured system for tracking performance.
  • Indicators and target setting: Participants will design SMART performance indicators that are  appropriate to their programme context and understand the distinction between different types of indicators. They will also learn how indicator targets are set for programme interventions.
  • Data collection for M&E: Participants will understand the types of data relevant to M&E. The session covers a wide range of data collection methods and tools, including quantitative and qualitative approaches, selecting and applying those most appropriate to their programme context and available resources.
  • Data analysis, reporting and utilisation: Participants will analyse M&E data in Microsoft Excel, accurately interpret findings, and produce clear, well-structured reports. They will also develop the skills to communicate M&E results effectively to policymakers, funders, and other stakeholders, translating evidence into actionable recommendations that drive programme improvement and advocacy. Hence, the course will go beyond teaching M&E to MERLA.

Course Outcomes

After completing this course, participants will have a thorough grounding in the meaning, theory, and practice of M&E and the practical skills to design and implement M&E systems that generate credible, decision-relevant evidence. Participants will leave not only understanding what M&E is, but also knowing how to design and implement it effectively in their own organisational contexts. They will also learn to apply artificial intelligence tools to support key stages of the M&E.

Course Content

Day 1: Introduction to M&E
  • Understand the philosophy, principles and purpose of M&E, distinguish between M&E, and appreciate the role of M&E across different programmatic and institutional contexts
  • Explore different types of evaluation and develop a foundational understanding of logic models and results-based logical frameworks.
  • Build a comprehensive M&E framework that translates programme logic into a structured system for tracking performance
  • Design performance indicators appropriate to a programme context, understand different indicator types and develop the skills to set realistic, evidence-informed targets
  •  
  • Understand the types of data relevant to M&E, including quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and tools
  • Select and apply data collection approaches appropriate to the programme context and available resources, and develop data collection instruments. Learn real-time electronic data collection for M&E
  • Analyse M&E data systematically using Microsoft Excel and apply appropriate analytical techniques to extract meaningful findings
  • Interpret M&E findings accurately and understand what the evidence says and does not say about programme performance
  • Produce clear, well-structured M&E reports and develop the skills to communicate findings effectively to policymakers, funders and other stakeholders
  • Go beyond M&E to MERLA. Translate M&E evidence into actionable recommendations, and consolidate learning through a final project and presentations
Week 1: Introduction to M&E
  • Understand the philosophy, principles and purpose of M&E, distinguish between M&E, and appreciate the role of M&E across different programmatic and institutional contexts
  • Explore different types of evaluation and develop a foundational understanding of logic models and results-based logical frameworks.
  • Build a comprehensive M&E framework that translates programme logic into a structured system for tracking performance
  • Design performance indicators appropriate to a programme context, understand different indicator types and develop the skills to set realistic, evidence-informed targets
  •  
  • Understand the types of data relevant to M&E, including quantitative and qualitative data collection methods and tools
  • Select and apply data collection approaches appropriate to the programme context and available resources, and develop data collection instruments. Learn real-time electronic data collection for M&E
  • Analyse M&E data systematically using Microsoft Excel and apply appropriate analytical techniques to extract meaningful findings
  • Interpret M&E findings accurately and understand what the evidence says and does not say about programme performance
  • Produce clear, well-structured M&E reports and develop the skills to communicate findings effectively to policymakers, funders and other stakeholders
  • Go beyond M&E to MERLA. Translate M&E evidence into actionable recommendations, and consolidate learning through a final project and presentations

Who Should Attend

  • M&E officers and coordinators
  • Programme and project managers
  • Development practitioners and consultants
  • Government officials and public sector planners
  • NGO and civil society professionals
  • Donor agency and foundation staff
  • Policy analysts and advisors
  • Health programme managers and public health professionals
  • Researchers working in applied and policy settings
  • Postgraduate students in development, public health, and social sciences

Price Includes

In-Person

  • Course attendance
  • Full refreshments:
    • Lunch
    • Welcome tea (tea and pastries)
    • Two tea breaks (tea and pastries)
  • Course lecture notes and training manual
  • Complimentary parking

Virtual

  • Access to interactive webinars
  • Videos for every interactive webinar session
  • All pre-reading materials
  • E-Certificate of attendance

Course Details

In-Person
  • 3 days
  • R8,500
Virtual
  • 3 weeks
  • R7,000
Enrol Now

For more details about our services contact:

Dimakatso Mofokeng
info@cesar-africa.com
+27 11 403 1411