Monitoring and Evaluation although related, are in fact, two distinct sets of organisational activities. Monitoring is the systematic collection and analysis of information as a project progresses and provides a useful base for evaluation. Evaluation is the comparison of actual project impacts against the agreed strategic plans and it can be formative or summative. M&E is aimed at improving the efficiency and effectiveness of projects or operational activity in organisations based on targets set and activities planned. It helps to keep the work on track and alerts management to take corrective action when things are going wrong.
Done properly, it is an invaluable tool for good management, as it enables you to determine whether the resources you have available are sufficient and are being well used, whether the capacity you have is sufficient and appropriate, and whether you are doing what you planned to do and the ability to assess the desired impact from the output and outcomes against Strategic and action plans.
