An exploration of the guiding principles, importance and challenges of monitoring and evaluation of community development projects and programmes

Abstract

In sociology, there is interdependence between social problems and research. Monitoring and Evaluation is an extension of social research. This paper analyses the purposes and steps in monitoring of community development projects/programmes. Using desk review and his wide experiences in M&E of community development projects, the writer analyses the importance and challenges of monitoring and evaluating development projects. Various approaches, principles, techniques, purposes and importance of project/programme monitoring and evaluation are discussed. The paper concludes that M&E is part of ensuring project accountability and ensuring projects meet the intended purpose. However M&E neither present the total picture of effectiveness of development projects nor is it a panacea for the challenges facing development projects. Given that M&E has become one of the most important topics in community development studies and in programme planning and project management, this paper provides an important implications in community development theory and practice.