Training Course: Public Sector Monitoring & Evaluation

Introduction

This comprehensive course provides an in-depth overview and analysis of monitoring and evaluation (M&E) theories and practices, particularly focusing on how M&E enhances public management and public policy. Monitoring and evaluation play an essential role in improving decision-making within the public sector, ensuring more efficient and effective outcomes. The course uses both international and local case studies, and participants will engage in discussions with policy managers, policy advisors, and experienced evaluators from different governments to explore real-world examples of performance evaluation in the public sector and policy impact evaluation.

By focusing on government program evaluation methods, policy analysis and evaluation, and performance measurement in government, this course will provide participants with the knowledge and skills necessary to implement robust monitoring and evaluation strategies, leading to better decision-making and outcomes in the public sector.

Course Objectives

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

• Understand the critical role of monitoring and evaluation in public management and public policy, and how these processes can improve government accountability and policy implementation evaluation.
• Explore different monitoring and evaluation methods, identifying their strengths and weaknesses in responding to key public sector and policy analysis and evaluation questions.
• Gain practical knowledge on performance measurement in government, and understand how to use monitoring and evaluation information effectively to improve public sector effectiveness.
• Learn the essential components of evaluation design, including how to set clear goals, select appropriate indicators, and develop measurable objectives for government program evaluation methods.
• Enhance project management skills, including commissioning and managing monitoring and evaluation, to ensure successful implementation and quality results.

Course Outlines

Day 1: Introduction to Monitoring and Evaluation in the Public Sector

• The fundamental role of monitoring and evaluation in public administration and public policy.
• The importance of M&E in promoting evidence-based policies and supporting accountability in the public sector.
• How monitoring and evaluation contribute to the management for results and the role of research and auditing in ensuring transparency.
• Exploration of different types of monitoring and evaluation approaches used to answer key public sector questions.
• Examples of performance measures in government and their application to real-world challenges in the public sector.

Day 2: Designing Evaluation – Setting Goals and Objectives

• Understanding how to define the goals and objectives of monitoring and evaluation to align with public policy priorities.
• Developing clear, measurable objectives that ensure the success of the evaluation process and selecting appropriate indicators for tracking progress.
• Aligning evaluation goals with policy analysis and evaluation frameworks to ensure strategic outcomes.
• Introduction to program logic and identifying key evaluation questions to guide the evaluation process.

Day 3: Methodologies and Approaches to Evaluation

• Exploring qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method approaches used in monitoring and evaluation for effective data collection and analysis.
• Overview of essential data sources and tools for collecting data in public sector monitoring systems.
• Applying data analysis techniques and interpreting findings to assess cost-effectiveness and value for money in government projects.
• How to synthesize results, draw conclusions, and ensure the findings contribute to policy impact evaluation and government program evaluation methods.
• Reporting and disseminating findings effectively to stakeholders for transparency and informed decision-making.

Day 4: Planning and Managing Monitoring and Evaluation

• Effective strategies for planning and implementing monitoring and evaluation processes in the public sector.
• Setting timelines, defining goals, and ensuring adequate resources are allocated for efficient monitoring and evaluation execution.
• Managing monitoring and evaluation activities to ensure high-quality results and continuous improvement in policy analysis and evaluation.

Day 5: Continued Planning and Managing Monitoring and Evaluation

• The role of internal and external evaluators and how to select the right evaluators for your projects.
• Understanding the responsibilities of the evaluator in the M&E process and establishing performance standards for evaluating government accountability.
• Ethical and cultural issues in evaluation: Addressing challenges in data collection and ensuring transparency, integrity, and privacy throughout the evaluation process.
• Incorporating cultural and community perspectives to ensure that the evaluation process is inclusive, respects local values, and leads to effective results.

Why Attend This Course: Wins & Losses!

• Comprehensive understanding of monitoring and evaluation processes in public administration and public policy, leading to improved decision-making and government accountability.
• Gain expertise in government program evaluation methods, learning how to apply them to track public sector effectiveness and policy implementation evaluation.
• Develop critical performance measurement skills to assess cost-effectiveness and value for money, ensuring efficient public sector services.
• Learn practical monitoring and evaluation strategies for managing policy impact evaluation and improving the public monitoring system.
• Master the evaluation methodologies that will allow you to measure impact evaluation and improve the overall effectiveness of government programs.

Conclusion

This course offers vital knowledge for anyone involved in public sector management or policy analysis and evaluation. Whether you're a policy advisor, manager, or evaluator, mastering monitoring and evaluation will enable you to improve government accountability and enhance the effectiveness of public policies and services. You will leave this course with a robust understanding of evaluation methodologies and performance evaluation in the public sector, ready to contribute to more efficient public administration and more impactful policy implementation.