Monitoring and Evaluation System
The main objective of our monitoring and evaluation process is to improve programme operations and service delivery. Our comprehensive Monitoring and Evaluation Plan is designed with the purpose of ensuring efficiency while maintaining the flexibility that allows for necessary adjustments in the work plan to be made during the course of the programme. Regular monitoring enables us to keep track of the progress of the programme and identify any problems that may arise so as to decide on timely and effective solutions. Conducted qualitatively and quantitatively, the sources through which we collect data are routine progress reports, rapid assessments, interviews/discussions with the community, and regular meetings with our field staff.
At the end of e
ach month, representatives of the committees trained by Healthy Lanka are gathered for a meeting at which progress made and problems encountered are discussed and inputs from the committee representatives are collected. Healthy Lanka team members also make regular field visits to the communities and speak to community members directly. Visits are also made to government officers and civil society actors in the relevant locations. These visits enable us to gather information on how the programme has progressed through the month and the extent to which interventions made during that month bore fruitful results. The progress of the programme is also evaluated at monitoring meetings with beneficiaries which are held at the end of every quarter, every six months, and every year.
The evaluation of the programme begins one the programme reaches 50% completion. Initial evaluations are carried out by a team of Healthy Lanka staff who visit the working locations to observe progress and gather information from community members and other stakeholders. This information is then compiled to make a detailed report. If necessary the support of independent external evaluators, government or civil society officers with knowledge on the relevant areas, is sought. The final evaluation takes place at the end of the programme period. Here, the overall progress made is measured in relation to the goals initially set when planning the programme, and conclusions are drawn. The final evaluation follows the same procedure as the initial evaluation although it is more comprehensive. The report prepared at the end of the final evaluation also includes suggestions for future programmes based on the lessons learned from the completed programme. It also provides a full picture of the programme proceeded throughout its specified period.
