isg: techchange presentation on m&e mis systems

What to expect when you’re expecting… M&E SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION

February, 2017

@Klein711

The ProblemPlanningObjectives were multiple and not clearly related to project activities. There was no clear picture of what the project would look like if it were successful. Thus, evaluators could not compare — in an objective manner — what was planned with what actually happened.

Management Responsibility Was UnclearProject managers were committed to the fact that projects must be justified in terms of their ultimate late benefits (“impact”) yet were reluctant to be considered responsible for impact; there were too many important factors outside their control. They found it difficult to articulate what they should be responsible for, and ended up not accepting any responsibility for results.

Evaluation Was An Adversarial ProcessWith the absence of clear targets and frequent disagreements (even among project team members) as to just what the project was about, evaluators ended up using their own judg- ment as to what they thought were “good things” and “bad things.” The subsequent evaluation results would then frequently become a basis for further argument about what was good or bad, rather than resulting in constructive actions for project improvement.

- The Logical Framework

International Solutions Group 2

The Solution

“Build an information system into [your] project so that the necessary data [can] be collected in the course of regular project operations. Such a system can provide timely, rele- vant information that can be used by decision-makers throughout the course of the project.”

- The Logical Framework


We have the technology


The Times They Are A Changin'

Monitoring has often taken a back seat to evaluation (Kusek, 2004, etc.).

Adaptive management and ‘agile’ programming demand iteration and data.

Monitoring is essential for effective evaluation.

There’s a growing number of evaluation methodologies incorporate monitoring


Said another way…


So, what does it take to get on board?

M&E MIS

International Solutions Group

OrganizationalSystems

FunctionalSpec.

Existing M&E Systems

Change Management

7

?Organizational Systems Can you give an example of an organization that was complex and what tangible steps they took to get ready for an implementation? What do organizations or projects lose by implementing an M&E MIS system?

Existing M&E Systems Do M&E MIS systems help promote feedback loops? How can an M&E MIS system account for the variation in the reporting frameworks required by donors?

Technical Specifications How much would it cost to implement an M&E MIS? How long does it take to get a small organization up and running on an M&E

MIS?Change Management

How do I move my organization from sunk cost thinking to investing in new systems or interoperability. Is it better to start and M&E MIS system implementation with a simple project or in a complex situation where all the variables are exposed? How can a small organization approach an M&E MIS implementation without “biting off more than they can chew” How can I convince non-M&E people that investing into an M&E MIS is a good idea?

Other What tools and/or guidance is out there to help organizations approach an M&E MIS implementation in a smart and efficient manner? Why is strategic thinking of limited or ineffective in our industry? Do M&E MIS systems help address this problem?


FAQ: Lightning Round!

Two Key Points:

1Define what a "successful" implementation looks like. What problems does it actually solve? How is it used? Both dream success and realistic success.

2The tool is only as good as the data it con- tains, the people using it, and the processes in place around it. It's not a silver bullet or a magic bean. Focusing on attainable goals and realistic problems to solve with it (and then doing the work to make that hap-pen) are the clear way toward a successful implementation. Sometimes all you might need to solve your problems is Excel; sometimes your problems actually aren't solvable with software at all; etc.

Takeaways


Things to watch out for



USAID

2017For the first time in

history, we have the tools, technologies and

approaches to end extreme poverty.

Jeffery Sachs 2005

For the first time in history, … scientific and technological

process… has placed the world within reach of eliminating extreme

poverty altogether.

John F Kennedy 1961

For the first time in history, humanity possesses the knowledge and the skill to relieve the suffering

of [those living in conditions approaching misery].

Robert Owen 1857

Through the process of physical and mental science... all the.. means in superabundance

to well-feed, clothe, lodge, train, educate, amuse and govern the human race in

perpetual progressive prosperity – without war... these results may now, for the first

time in history of the world, be accomplished”.


Questions?

Twitter:

@Klein711

Email:

[email protected]


isg: techchange presentation on m&e mis systems

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