Development Projects in Assessing Empowerment

Abstract

The conceptual basis for the idea of "Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E)" can be found in the Logical Framework Approach (Logframe); arguably, the most widely used project planning methodology to date. The project matrix in the Logframe is made up of inputs, activities, outputs, immediate objectives and development objectives (NORAD, 1989). Monitoring is defined as "the continuous or periodic surveillance of the implementation of a project" (Ibid, pp. 88). Evaluation are considered as "independent assessments of the impact and relevance of the project, undertaken by external collaborators" (ibid, pp. 90). Casley and Lury see monitoring as the process of tracking inputs, outputs and initial effects- primarily a function of internal management. Evaluation is described as an ex-post study of the intended and unintended effects and impacts of a development project, based on a quasi-experimental design and primary meant for an outside audience (Casley and Lury, 1982). Evaluations are also conducted to study the economic and financial efficiency of programmes (Murphy and Marchant, 1988). Monitoring and evaluation are, therefore, understood to be two distinct activities (in terms of time, scale, scope and object) which need to be treated separately.