Question

Need help please!

- Assume that program managers have decided, on the basis of research and advice of experts, to use a fear-based strategy for a youth tobacco prevention campaign. What recommendations would you make to ensure the effectiveness of this strategy?

- What media channels would you consider for a fruits and vegetables campaign targeting elementary school kids?

- What is the difference between monitoring and evaluation and why is this plan developed before a budget?

Answer 1

What is the difference between monitoring and evaluation and why is this plan developed before a budget?

Monitoring	Evaluation
Monitoring is the systematic process of observing and recording on a regular basis, the activities carried out in a project, to ensure that the activities are in line with the objectives of the enterprise.	Evaluation is defined as an objective and rigorous analysis of a continuing or completed project, to determine its significance, effectiveness, impact and sustainability by comparing the result with the set of standards.
Monitoring is observational in nature.	Evaluation is judgmental.
Monitoring is an operational level activity, performed by the supervisors.	Evaluation is a business level activity performed by the managers.
Monitoring is a short-term process, that is concerned with the collection of information regarding the success of the project.	Evaluation is a long-term process, which not only records the information but also assesses the outcomes and impact of the project.
Monitoring focuses on improving the overall efficiency of the project, by removing bottlenecks, while the project is under process.	Evaluation stresses on improving the effectiveness of the project, by making the comparison with the established standards.
Monitoring is usually carried out by the people who are directly involved in its implementation process.	Evaluation can be conducted by internal staff of the organization, i.e. managers or it can also be carried out by independent external party, who can give their impartial views on the project or program.

Monitoring and evaluation plans should be created after the planning phase and before the design phase of a programe or intervention. The plan should include information on how the programme or intervention will be examined and assessed. Generally, the plan should outline:

• the underlying assumptions on which the achievement of programme goals depend;
• the anticipated relationships between activities, outputs, and outcomes (the framework);
• well-defined conceptual measures and definitions, along with baseline data;
• the monitoring schedule;
• a list of data sources to be used;
• cost estimates for the monitoring and evaluation activities;
• a list of the partnerships and collaborations that will help achieve the desired results; and
• a plan for the dissemination and utilization of the information gained.

Monitoring and evaluation results can be fed into budget-decision-making through careful planning and implementation during the policy cycle.