Influence of monitoring and evaluation tools on program performance of selected non-governmental organisations in Nairobi county, Kenya

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the influence of M&E tools on the program performance of selected NGOs in Nairobi County. The study was guided by the following objectives: to assess the extent to which the use of logical framework as a M&E tool influence performance of programs of selected NGOs in Nairobi County; to assess the extent to which the use of result framework as a M&E tool influence the performance of the programs of selected NGOs in Nairobi County; to assess the extent to which the use of earned value management as a M&E tool influence program performance of selected NGOs in Nairobi County; and to assess the extent to which the use of performance management plan as a M&E tool influence program performance of selected NGOs in Nairobi County. The study adopted descriptive survey design. The data was collected through a self-administered structured questionnaire. The research instrument was piloted for validity through content related method and reliability through halfsplit criterion. A sample size of 97 NGOs was selected using stratified sampling from a target population of 3650 NGOs. The study used 194 respondents consisting of project managers and M&E staffs from the selected NGOs. Out of the 194 questionnaires that were administered, 160 questionnaires were duly filled and returned and therefore regarded as the responsive instruments and formed the basis for data analysis. This formed a response rate of 82.47%. Data was analyzed through the use of a computer software SPSS. The data collected was analyzed by descriptive statistics. Correlational analysis was conducted to determine the influence of the M&E tools on the program performance. Descriptive statistics such as frequencies and percentages were used to describe the data. The analyzed data was presented in form of tables. The study found out that logical framework is an invaluable tool for managing program performance with 81% giving a nod with a correlation coefficient of 0.983. The study also found out that result framework is a vital tool for managing program performance with 73% giving an affirmation with a correlation coefficient of 0.863. The study also found out that earned value management is a crucial tool for managing program performance with 77% asserting its significance and a correlation coefficient of 0.832. The study further revealed that performance management plan is a crucial tool for managing program performance with 71% attesting to this and a correlation coefficient of 0.967. Generally the study revealed that 73% of the respondents agreed that M&E tools influenced the program performance. However, 21% of the respondents felt otherwise. The study recommends that M&E officers and project managers be given inservice training to enhance their competencies and more resources allocated to M&E. The study further suggests that more research be carried out to determine the influence of donor demands, organisational culture, leadership skills and ICT on the program performance.