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Software and tools for M&E professionals

by Editor - on July 13, 2023

Software and tools for M&E professionals

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) tools and softwares

Harnessing the Power of Specialized Tools in M&E

In the diverse and dynamic field of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), the choice of tools and software significantly influences the effectiveness and efficiency of project assessment and oversight. Whether it’s in global development initiatives, healthcare, public policy, or environmental conservation, M&E professionals rely on a variety of specialized tools designed to meet the unique demands of their sectors.

These tools are not just about collecting and analyzing data; they’re about unlocking insights that drive better decisions, enhance project outcomes, and ultimately contribute to meaningful, sustainable change. From field data collection in remote areas to advanced statistical analysis in research labs, the right M&E tools empower organizations to navigate the complexities of their work with greater precision and confidence.

What Are Monitoring and Evaluation Tools?

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) tools are essentially the compass and map for navigating the complex journey of projects and programs. They’re not just about ticking boxes or filling out forms; they’re about understanding where we’re going, how we’re getting there, and what impact we’re making along the way. These tools give us the insight needed to make informed decisions, ensuring our efforts are leading us in the right direction and making a real difference.

When we talk about monitoring tools, think of them as our ongoing check-ins during a trip. They help us keep an eye on our progress, making sure we’re on track and allowing us to spot any issues before they become major roadblocks. These tools include things like performance indicators, which are like signposts telling us how far we’ve come and how far we have to go, and progress reports, which are akin to travel journals documenting our journey’s ups and downs.

Evaluation tools, on the other hand, are like reflective pauses at the end of a journey or key milestones. They ask the bigger questions: Did we get to where we wanted to go? How has the journey changed us or the landscape? Through methods such as surveys and focus groups, these tools help us look back on the project’s effectiveness, its broader impacts, and whether it was worth the resources invested.

Both monitoring and evaluation tools weave together stories of success and learning. They’re about more than just numbers and data; they’re about people’s lives and communities’ futures. By carefully choosing and applying these tools, we can ensure that our projects not just meet their targets but truly make a positive and lasting impact. They’re our way of making sure that, in the grand scheme of things, our work contributes to meaningful change.

The Importance of Digital Tools in Modern Project Management

In the rapidly evolving landscape of project management, digital tools have become indispensable. The adoption of these tools is not just a trend but a fundamental shift in how projects are planned, executed, and monitored. The importance of digital tools in modern project management can be attributed to several key factors that enhance efficiency, transparency, and outcomes.
  1. Firstly, digital tools facilitate real-time communication and collaboration among project teams, regardless of geographical boundaries. Platforms like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom have revolutionized the way teams interact, enabling seamless exchange of ideas, quick decision-making, and effective problem-solving. This immediate communication ensures that all team members are on the same page, reducing misunderstandings and delays.
  2. Secondly, project management software such as Asana, Trello, and Monday.com offer comprehensive solutions for tracking tasks, deadlines, and progress. These tools provide a visual overview of the project’s status, making it easier to identify bottlenecks, allocate resources efficiently, and adjust plans as needed. By automating routine tasks, these platforms free up team members to focus on more strategic aspects of the project.
  3. Moreover, data collection and analysis tools play a critical role in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) processes. Software like SPSS, STATA, and KoBoToolbox allow for efficient gathering, storage, and analysis of data, providing invaluable insights into project performance and impact. These insights enable project managers to make evidence-based decisions, optimizing project outcomes and demonstrating accountability to stakeholders.

Visualization tools such as Tableau and Google Data Studio further enhance the ability to communicate complex data in an understandable and impactful way. By presenting data visually, these tools help convey project results and insights to a broader audience, including non-technical stakeholders, fostering greater transparency and support.

In essence, digital tools in modern project management are not just about technological advancement; they are about empowering teams to work smarter, enhancing stakeholder engagement, and driving projects toward more successful and sustainable outcomes. The integration of these tools into project cycles represents a strategic approach to managing the complexities of today’s project environments, ensuring agility, innovation, and resilience.

Leading Monitoring and Evaluation Tools

In the world of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), having the right tools at your disposal is like having a good compass and map on a complex journey. It’s not just about keeping track of where you are; it’s about understanding the terrain, navigating challenges, and making informed decisions to reach your destination successfully. Among the many tools available, Tableau, Microsoft Power BI, and Smartsheet stand out as beacons for professionals in the field, each bringing its unique strengths to the table.

  • Tableau shines as a master of data visualization. Imagine being able to take a mountain of data and transform it into a clear, engaging story that anyone can understand. That’s Tableau’s magic. It’s not just about making pretty charts; it’s about revealing the hidden patterns and insights in your data that can guide crucial project decisions. With Tableau, M&E professionals can dynamically track progress against indicators and share their findings in a way that captivates and informs.
  • Microsoft Power BI steps into the spotlight with its knack for bringing data together in a cohesive, actionable dashboard. It’s like having a bird’s-eye view of your project, with the ability to zoom in on the details. Power BI’s integration with the broader Microsoft ecosystem makes it a seamless addition to many workplaces, enhancing data flow and collaboration. Its advanced analytics push the boundaries of what’s possible, allowing teams to forecast future trends and assess the potential impact of different strategies. In the hands of an M&E expert, Power BI is a powerful ally in shaping the future of projects.
  • Smartsheet, on the other hand, brings a blend of project management and collaboration to the M&E process. It’s like having a digital command center where every piece of your project’s puzzle fits together perfectly. From tracking timelines and resources to coordinating team tasks, Smartsheet turns the often complex process of data collection and analysis into a streamlined, transparent operation. It’s particularly useful for ensuring that everyone on the team is moving in sync, focused on the collective goal of not just monitoring but improving project outcomes.

These tools, each in its own way, are transforming the landscape of M&E. They’re not just about processing data; they’re about empowering teams to see beyond the numbers, to tell the stories that matter, and to drive meaningful change. Whether through the lens of Tableau’s visual stories, the comprehensive dashboards of Power BI, or the collaborative workspace of Smartsheet, M&E professionals are better equipped than ever to steer their projects toward success.

Data Collection and Analysis Software and tools for M&E

In the intricate dance of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E), data plays the lead role. It’s the heartbeat of any project, telling us if we’re making a real difference or just going through the motions. Without data, we’re navigating in the dark, guessing at the impact of our work. But with it, we open a window to insights that can steer projects towards meaningful outcomes, sharpen our strategies, and amplify our impact. This is why the role of data in M&E is absolutely fundamental. It’s not just about collecting numbers; it’s about gathering stories, learning lessons, and making informed decisions that lead to better results.

To weave these stories and lessons together, M&E professionals turn to a toolkit of specialized software, each piece designed to tackle the unique challenges of data collection and analysis.

KoBoToolbox emerges as a beacon of hope, especially in hard-to-reach places. Picture yourself gathering crucial data in a remote village with no internet access. KoBoToolbox makes this possible. It’s like a trusty notebook that doesn’t mind getting a bit of dirt on it, allowing for the collection of rich, impactful data anywhere on the planet.

Then there’s SurveyCTO, which acts like a meticulous librarian, ensuring every piece of data collected is not only accurate but also securely stored. It’s the guardian of data quality, making sure that every survey response is treated like gold, carefully cataloged for future reference.

And when it comes to diving deep into this treasure trove of information, SPSS and STATA stand ready. SPSS is like the friendly guide who takes you by the hand through the world of statistics, making complex analysis feel like a walk in the park. STATA, with its sharp analytical tools, is the seasoned detective, piecing together clues hidden within the data to reveal the bigger picture.

Together, these tools empower M&E professionals to not just collect data but to connect with the stories and lives behind the numbers. KoBoToolbox, SurveyCTO, SPSS, and STATA are more than just software; they’re the lenses through which we can see the true impact of our work, guiding us towards smarter decisions and more meaningful change. They remind us that in the world of M&E, data is not just about numbers; it’s about people, progress, and the pursuit of a better world.

Visualization and Reporting Tools and software in M&E

In Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) sector, where data is as plentiful as the stars in the sky, the real magic happens when we can make that data tell a story. This is where visualization and reporting tools come into play, shining a light on the narratives hidden within numbers and charts. These tools aren’t just about making pretty pictures out of data; they’re about creating a dialogue, sparking insights, and inspiring action. Among the treasure trove of tools at our disposal, Google Data Studio and QlikView have carved out a special place for themselves, each offering unique ways to bring data stories to life.

Think of Google Data Studio as your friendly neighborhood storyteller. It takes the raw, often overwhelming mass of data and turns it into a coherent, engaging narrative that anyone can understand. With Google Data Studio, you’re not just crunching numbers; you’re weaving a tapestry of insights, complete with colors, shapes, and patterns that draw people in. It’s like being able to paint with data, using a palette that’s as broad as it is deep, thanks to its seamless connections with various data sources. The result? Reports and dashboards that don’t just inform but also enlighten and engage, making the invisible visible and the incomprehensible clear.

On the other side, QlikView offers a bit of detective work. It’s like having a magnifying glass that not only zooms in on the minutiae but also reveals how everything is interconnected. QlikView’s genius lies in its ability to let you interact with data in a way that’s both intuitive and insightful. It invites you to ask questions, follow hunches, and explore pathways you hadn’t considered before. With QlikView, each click, each query, brings you closer to understanding the why behind the what, turning data exploration into an adventure.

Both Google Data Studio and QlikView remind us that in the hands of an M&E professional, data visualization and reporting tools are much more than software—they’re instruments of change. They empower us to translate complex datasets into compelling stories, ensuring that the insights gleaned from our work don’t just sit on a shelf, but move hearts and minds towards meaningful action. In the end, these tools help bridge the gap between data and decisions, weaving together the threads of information into a narrative that can guide, inspire, and make a difference.

Specialized Tools for Diverse M&E Needs

Within the vast landscape of M&E tools, there’s a rich diversity tailored to specific sectors and needs. Here’s a closer look at some of the leading tools that have carved out a niche for themselves, offering solutions that range from data collection in challenging environments to sophisticated analysis for in-depth research.

For Global Development and Humanitarian Efforts

ActivityInfo and CommCare stand out as robust platforms for data collection and project management in global development and humanitarian settings. ActivityInfo is designed for flexibility, allowing for easy adaptation to various project needs, from cluster management to interagency coordination. Its use spans across countries like Iraq, Mali, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo, supporting efforts in education, health, and more. CommCare, with its drag-and-drop application building and offline data collection capabilities, empowers field workers in health care, agricultural training, and malaria prevention campaigns across Africa.

For Advanced Data Management and Analysis

DevResults, Granity, and KoBoToolbox offer comprehensive solutions for managing complex datasets and facilitating detailed analysis. DevResults’ interactive map features and customizable data disaggregation tools make it invaluable for visualizing geographical project data. Granity simplifies planning and reporting for charities and social businesses, enhancing operational efficiency. KoBoToolbox, known for its robustness in “demanding scenarios,” provides powerful offline data collection capabilities, making it a favorite among humanitarian groups and field researchers.

Sector-Specific Solutions

DHIS2
District Health Information Software is a free and open-source health management data platform that is presently being used in 60 different nations. It was developed with the specific goal of catering to professionals working in the health industry. This programme is used to assist several health-related tasks, such as the monitoring of patient health, the improvement of disease surveillance and the localization of outbreaks, and the acceleration of data access for the health sector. When it comes to statistical data collection, validation, analysis, management, and visualisation, DHIS2 might be of assistance to those working in the health care industry.
Used by: European Union, NGOs, governments

 

Nvivo
This programme was developed specifically for the purpose of analysing qualitative data as well as mixed techniques data. When it comes to managing qualitative data, Nvivo was highly recommended by the four M&E experts that Devex consulted. The most prevalent users are academics and researchers, who utilise it for a variety of purposes including study on public health. It is possible to import data from almost any source, including text, audio, video, emails, photos, spreadsheets, online surveys, social media information, and website content. This time-consuming aspect of the research process may be sped up with the assistance of an automated transcribing tool, which is available in addition to tools for querying and visualising data.

 

Advanced Analytics and Visualization

When it comes to deep data analysis and visualization, SAS, STATA, and SPSS provide powerful statistical capabilities across various sectors, including economics, education, and public policy. These tools offer advanced techniques for survey analysis, forecasting, and complex statistical testing, enabling researchers to uncover nuanced insights and predictive trends.

More M&E tools designed for the global development

ActivityInfo
ActivityInfo has been used to support cluster management, care management, and interagency coordination with staff working on projects in locations such as Iraq, Mali, Lebanon, Somalia, Yemen, the Central African Republic, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Other locations where ActivityInfo has been used include the Republic of the Congo and the Democratic Republic of the Congo. It is meant to assist efforts being made in the areas of education, health, nonfood goods, protection, housing, water and sanitation, and so on.
Used by: United Nations agencies, NGOs working in humanitarian operations

CommCare
Users are able to construct applications more rapidly and without the need for coding when using drag-and-drop tools. After that, they are able to gather data even when they are offline, utilise case management systems that have built-in decision assistance and alerts, and integrate data from numerous forms in order to eliminate mistakes caused by duplication and monitor the performance of their staff. Users are able to quickly gather data, display that data, and identify patterns thanks to reporting tools. Among the other features is a tracking system for the performance of the personnel.
CommCare has been used in many health care initiatives, including those aimed at children under the age of five in Burkina Faso, the delivery of agricultural training, and the assistance of campaigns aimed at preventing malaria across Africa.
Used by: Catholic Relief Services, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

DevResults
Users are able to get a bird’s-eye perspective of the geographical context of their applications thanks to the interactive map capabilities included in the DevResults software. These map elements contain built-in information about the country’s administrative borders. Users have the ability to personalise the data disaggregation, establish performance indicators, and build up the results framework for the programme. Additional capabilities, such as picture galleries, work plans, and tools for managing budgets, facilitate collaborative work and administration of projects.
Used by: USAID

Granity
The planning and reporting procedures for charities and social businesses are some of the areas that may get assistance from Grantity. Users have the ability to produce automatic reports, as well as build checklists and surveys for use in performing common activities and processes. In addition, Granity is able to help development workers in the field by working on mobile data collecting and online data storage.

KoBoToolbox
KoBoToolbox can gather data both online and offline, as well as via mobile devices. It was designed specifically for data collecting in “demanding scenarios.” Forms may be made using it, projects can be shared with coworkers, and summary reports complete with graphs and tables can be generated with it. It is used by humanitarian groups, researchers, and assistance workers. Users are also given the ability to view gathered data on a map using features such as heatmaps or clustering, as well as the capability to disaggregate data in reports and maps according to gender, region, or education level.

LogAlto
Users of this programme are given the ability to construct logical frameworks, monitor indications, gather project-specific data, and submit that data. Users are able to get live information and even construct their own tables and charts. Also, the programme may be used in an offline mode and can be accessed via a mobile app in order to create customised forms. ACTED.

Magpi
Magpi was at first designed to assist in vaccination campaigns for children all over the globe; however, its applications have now expanded to include health education, reaction to outbreaks, programme coordination, monitoring, and evaluation. It offers solutions for mobile data collecting, mobile communications, and mobile visualisation. It contains specialised tools that help with things like registering beneficiaries, collecting data by phone, mobile, and SMS, conducting conference polls, issuing emergency warnings, and integrating data.
The software has been utilised to keep an eye on humanitarian efforts in Syria, enhance polio prevention efforts in Nigeria, monitor the development of electoral processes in Tanzania, track the number of newborn deaths in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, and improve communication with farmers in Chile. Used by: U.N. Population Fund, UNICEF

Mobenzi
Mobenzi’s features assist M&E professionals in the creation of forms for mobile data collecting, which can subsequently be used to provide data insights in the form of charts and maps. These features were designed to assist frontline employees who operate in the field. Management of field workers and reporting on their performance are also supported by other capabilities. Teams of primary health workers, as well as those working on education and early children development, as well as those doing field research, have made use of Mobenzi.
Used by: World Vision, Norwegian Refugee Council, Oxfam 

Open Data Kit
Software that is free to use and open source for “resource-constrained contexts,” which allows for the collection, management, and use of data. The Open Data Kit has been used in the tracking of disease epidemics, the observation of elections, and the monitoring of rainforests.
Used by: World Health Organization, Red Cross

Survey CTO
Users are able to capture data using mobile phones or tablets, and then quickly retrieve it. This functionality is designed for professionals and researchers who operate in offline environments. There are tools available to assist users in designing and testing forms, monitoring the quality of incoming data, and visualising the data as it is being received.
Survey CTO has been used in vital medicine programmes in Uganda, as well as WASH initiatives in West Africa, health and public policy assessments in Kenya, HIV research in Rwanda, newborn and child health programmes in Ghana, and other countries in Africa.
Used by: Innovations for Poverty Action, World Bank

TolaData
TolaData was developed specifically for organisations that are working to make a positive impact in the world. Its primary goals are to make it easier for these organisations to collect and manage real-time data, to monitor their progress with the help of a results framework and an indicator plan, and to distribute data visualisations via dashboards.
Used by: Norwegian Mission Alliance

More Tools designed for all sectors

According to M&E specialists, the industry in which you operate will largely determine the software applications available to you. “Those individuals who are working on topics related to agriculture, economics, public policy, and governance.

SAS
SAS offers solutions for advanced analytics and data management, including as tools for data integration and access, data preparation, data governance, data mining, forecasting, statistical analysis, and text analysis. SAS also delivers solutions for advanced analytics and data management.
Used by: World Wildlife Fund, International Organization for Migration

STATA
STATA is software for data science that is aimed to serve professionals working in a variety of fields, including economics, education, medical research, political science, public health, public policy, as well as finance, business, and marketing. STATA provides a variety of techniques for conducting surveys, as well as tests and predictions, methods for resampling and simulation, features for data management, and several ways for conducting analyses, including as cluster, Bayesian, and survival analysis.

SPSS
Statistical Package for Social Sciences was originally introduced to the public in 1968, and IBM eventually purchased the software in 2009. Users using SPSS have the ability to conduct descriptive statistics, as well as regression and advanced statistical analyses. After that, they are able to visualise the outcomes by constructing charts and tables, in addition to decision trees.

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