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NITA AccreditedIntermediatePhysical + Virtual10 daysDMESC

Training on Designing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Systems

Master designing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Systems. Learn to create robust M&E frameworks, develop indicators, and design data collection tools to measure program performance and impact.

Next intake

20 Jul 2026 · Nakuru

View all dates

Duration

10 days

Live instruction

Delivery

Physical + Virtual

Cohort based

Level

Intermediate

Working professionals

Certification

NITA reimbursable

For Kenyan cohorts

Language

English

All materials

Overview

About this programme

This course provides an in-depth understanding of designing effective Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems to track the progress and impact of development projects and programs. Participants will learn how to create robust M&E frameworks, select appropriate indicators, and apply data collection and analysis techniques. The course emphasizes practical skills in developing and implementing M&E plans that ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement in project management. This course equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to design and implement effective M&E systems, ensuring that projects deliver meaningful and measurable results.

Duration

10 Days

Who Should Attend

  • M&E professionals and practitioners
  • Project managers and coordinators
  • Program officers
  • Development professionals involved in project design and implementation
  • Donor agency staff responsible for program oversight
  • Consultants and advisors in development projects
Learning outcomes

What you'll walk away with

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

  • Understand the key principles and components of effective M&E systems.
  • Develop a comprehensive M&E framework tailored to specific projects or programs.
  • Select and define appropriate indicators for monitoring and evaluating project outcomes.
  • Design data collection methods and tools for gathering reliable and valid data.
  • Analyze and interpret M&E data to inform decision-making and improve project outcomes.
  • Develop and implement an M&E plan, including timelines, roles, and responsibilities.
  • Understand the ethical considerations in M&E, including data privacy and stakeholder engagement.
  • Use M&E findings to enhance project accountability, learning, and adaptive management.
  • Communicate M&E results effectively to stakeholders, including donors and beneficiaries.
  • Apply best practices in the continuous improvement of M&E systems.
Course modules

What we cover, module by module

Module 1: Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)

  • Definition and concepts of M&E
  • The importance of M&E in program management
  • The M&E cycle
  • Ethical considerations in M&E
  • Case Study: Strengthening accountability in a donor-funded NGO program
  • Practical: Map the M&E cycle for a sample project

Module 2: Program Design and Logical Frameworks

  • Program theory and logic models
  • Developing a logical framework (logframe)
  • Identifying program goals, objectives, outputs, and outcomes
  • Case Study: Designing a logframe for a community health project
  • Practical: Develop a simple logframe for a given program

Module 3: Indicator Development

  • Types of indicators (outcome, output, process)
  • SMART indicators (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound)
  • Indicator validation and refinement
  • Case Study: Improving weak indicators in an education project
  • Practical: Develop SMART indicators for sample objectives

Module 4: Data Collection Methods

  • Qualitative and quantitative data collection methods
  • Surveys and questionnaires
  • Interviews and focus groups
  • Observations and document review
  • Sampling techniques
  • Case Study: Designing data collection for a rural livelihoods project
  • Practical: Create a survey and FGD guide

Module 5: Data Management and Analysis

  • Data cleaning and processing
  • Data analysis techniques (descriptive, inferential)
  • Data visualization and presentation
  • Case Study: Turning raw NGO data into actionable insights
  • Practical: Analyze a sample dataset and present findings

Module 6: M&E Tools and Technologies

  • M&E software and platforms
  • Mobile data collection tools
  • Data analysis tools
  • Case Study: Using mobile technology for real-time project monitoring
  • Practical: Explore and set up a basic mobile data collection tool

Module 7: Monitoring and Evaluation Plans

  • Developing a comprehensive M&E plan
  • Work plans and timelines
  • Budgeting for M&E activities
  • Case Study: Developing an M&E plan for a donor-funded project
  • Practical: Draft a basic M&E plan

Module 8: Implementing and Managing M&E Systems

  • Building M&E capacity
  • Stakeholder engagement and ownership
  • Quality assurance and control
  • Monitoring and evaluation reporting
  • Case Study: Strengthening an underperforming M&E system in an NGO
  • Practical: Design a stakeholder engagement plan for M&E

Module 9: Using M&E for Learning and Decision Making

  • Learning from M&E data
  • Adaptive management and course correction
  • Knowledge management and sharing
  • Case Study: Using evaluation findings to improve project outcomes
  • Practical: Develop an action plan based on M&E results

Module 10: M&E and Accountability

  • M&E for transparency and accountability
  • Communicating M&E results to stakeholders
  • Using M&E for advocacy and resource mobilization
  • Case Study: Using M&E results for donor reporting and funding success
  • Practical: Prepare a simple stakeholder M&E report summary
Impact

Where the change lands

Organizational Impact

  • Design more effective projects with results-oriented M&E frameworks.

  • Ensure transparency and accountability to build trust and secure funding.

  • Enable data-driven decisions through robust performance tracking.

Personal Impact

  • Gain strategic skills essential for leading and managing programs.

  • Advance into senior leadership or strategic planning roles.

  • Build confidence to design and implement M&E systems from scratch.

Dates and locations

Upcoming intakes

Every intake is limited to a small cohort. Booking closes when a date fills or three weeks before the start, whichever comes first.

Full calendar
FAQs

Common questions.

Still not sure? Send us a note and a facilitator will get back to you within a business day.

The goal is to equip you with the skills to design a robust M&E system from the ground up. You'll learn to create a strategic framework that effectively tracks progress and measures the impact of your projects.

Course finder

Find the right course for you

Prefer to talk it through? Send us an enquiry and a facilitator will scope a fit within a business day.

For corporate teams

Training 10+ professionals?

We deliver Training on Designing Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Systems in-house at your offices, at a venue we arrange, or fully virtual. Customise the curriculum against your KPIs, and get a bespoke price for the cohort size you need.