Evaluation Of Development Projects Research Articles

Assessing Approaches to Strengthen Monitoring and Evaluation in Development Projects: Evidence from Donor-Funded Projects in Machakos County, Kenya

Monitoring and Evaluation improves the quality of programme or project management since it provides information on how results namely outcomes, outputs and impact are achieved and assesses the effectiveness, relevance, coherence, efficiency, impact and sustainability of specific development interventions. The objectives of the study were to examine the influence of participatory monitoring and evaluation among development project teams in Machakos County and to assess the influence of M & E as a learning tool on implementation of development projects in Machakos County, Kenya. The study was guided by the Theory of Change which describes how particular interventions or sets of interventions lead to specific changes. The target population of this study was 102 programme staff implementing donor-funded projects. A census was done and therefore the target group formed the sample for the study. Primary data sources used were key informant interviews and a survey questionnaire. Quantitative data was analyzed in SPSS Version 28 and qualitative data was thematically analyzed. According to the survey results, 58.2% agreed that the involvement of all relevant project stakeholders during the preliminary stages of project design strengthens M&E. The survey results showed that 49.45% of the respondents agreed that project planning reflected the various community needs and supported decision-making processes during project implementation. A majority (58.23%) agreed that feedback from various stakeholders was often incorporated and used to strengthen the delivery of various project activities informant interviews. Majority of the survey respondents (72%) indicated that learning is integral to ensuring M&E is effective and project teams can learn immensely from M & E. A majority (71%) agreed that project teams feared participating in M&E activities due to fear that it could be used against them. The findings show that the involvement of stakeholders in project design and implementation directly influenced successful project M & E. The study recommended involving relevant parties and stakeholders in a project since this influences its implementation and M & E among donor-funded development projects. Project managers need to put in place incentives for project teams to learn not just for reporting to funding agencies but for the benefit of internal learning among project teams.

Resource mobilization and effective utilization for actualizing community development projects in Nigeria

This paper examines the resources mobilization and effective utilization for actualizing community development projects in Nigeria. Concepts of resource mobilization for community development project were discusses from different perspectives. Resource mobilization is just a means to the end, the end being the fulfillment of the organization’s vision. Resource mobilization is a team effort, and involves the institution’s commitment to resource mobilization; acceptance for the need to raise resources; and institutionalizing resource mobilization priorities, policies and budget allocation. Problems associated with resource mobilization for community development were discussed. The paper also examines programme implementation for community development projects which identified among others, finding able and willing local leaders, setting up committees and identifying organizations. The paper further discusses participation as one of the basis of community development projects because without participation from the concerns members work or project will not be fully conducted. Various aspect of participation was discussed which include, active participation and functional participation among others. The paper also looks into community development projects evaluation process which centrally discusses empowerment evaluation in which it gives members of community the ability to check and analyze how resources are being utilize for the projects intended for. Conclusion was drawn and way forward were suggested some among others are,

Urban Development Project Evaluation Using Multi-Stakeholder Cost–Benefit Analysis

Urban Development Project Evaluation Using Multi-Stakeholder Cost–Benefit Analysis

Gaming country rankings: Consultancies as knowledge brokers for global benchmarks

AbstractThis article explores how for‐profit consultancies mediate knowledge about global benchmarks in developing countries. Drawing on the case of the Ease of Doing Business rankings, published annually by the World Bank and the International Finance Corporation between 2005 and 2019, it examines the role consultancies play as knowledge brokers connecting global benchmarks produced by intergovernmental organizations to regulatory reform programs undertaken by national public administrations. The article shows how consultancies contracted to implement business enabling environment projects by the United States Agency for International Development advised national policymakers on how to design reforms to improve their country's ranking status. Lending weight to criticisms that shifts in country rankings are misleading as an indicator of changes in regulatory quality, the findings suggest that consultancies have leveraged benchmarks to perpetuate demand for their own expertise rather than to improve the evidence base for aid allocation and the evaluation of development projects.

Analysis of the Practice of Monitoring and Evaluation in Development Projects in Mali

The objective of this work is to analyze and highlight monitoring and evaluation as practiced in development projects in Mali by managers. The methodology is based on a documentary review of various works dealing with issues of monitoring and evaluation, management of development projects, documents of development projects as well as rich and cordial interviews allowed us to build our analysis model. The implementation of monitoring and evaluation in development projects was measured according to a number of variables that related to the understanding of its usefulness, as well as the implementation mechanisms and the identification of methods and tools.The results of our research did not allow us to confirm or refute the hypotheses that had been put forward to try to explain the problem of the practice of monitoring and evaluation in Mali. However, the analysis of the results shows that knowledge of monitoring and evaluation is approximate, the practice is contrary to theoretical prescriptions and the tools and methods are little known and poorly used. Keywords: Monitoring, Evaluation, Project et program. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/13-22-02 Publication date: November 30 th 2021

Participatory monitoring and evaluation in development projects of Bangladesh

This paper seeks to understand issues and challenges around the application of participatory development methods and practices in the developing world through the case study of participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) in Bangladesh, while offering suggestions to overcome those challenges. Participatory development as a distinctive development paradigm holds strong potential for empowering communities at the grassroots level and promoting local ownership, which promise more sustainable development impact. However, there is growing evidence that many participatory development initiatives have failed in developing countries, largely due to the neglect of contextual specificities relating to culture, inequalities and gender discriminations. Drawing on in-depth interviews with M&E specialists in both Bangladeshi government and international development organisations, I argue that the blanket and insensitive application of PM&E has significantly reduced its effectiveness in Bangladesh where unequal power relations as well as inequalities and discrimination against women are deeply entrenched. The research has significant implications for both development scholarship and project management practice. It contributes to and enriches debates about participatory development and PM&E in the global context.

Participatory monitoring and evaluation in development projects of Bangladesh

This paper seeks to understand issues and challenges around the application of participatory development methods and practices in the developing world through the case study of participatory monitoring and evaluation (PM&E) in Bangladesh, while offering suggestions to overcome those challenges. Participatory development as a distinctive development paradigm holds strong potential for empowering communities at the grassroots level and promoting local ownership, which promise more sustainable development impact. However, there is growing evidence that many participatory development initiatives have failed in developing countries, largely due to the neglect of contextual specificities relating to culture, inequalities and gender discriminations. Drawing on in-depth interviews with M&E specialists in both Bangladeshi government and international development organisations, I argue that the blanket and insensitive application of PM&E has significantly reduced its effectiveness in Bangladesh where unequal power relations as well as inequalities and discrimination against women are deeply entrenched. The research has significant implications for both development scholarship and project management practice. It contributes to and enriches debates about participatory development and PM&E in the global context.

Spirituality Matters: The Role of Religion in Development Project Evaluation in the Tibetan Communities in China

AbstractThe Chinese Indigenous/ethnic minority people have rich cultural traditions. Spirituality, including religion, is central to their worldviews and is manifested in their daily lives. Many development projects in China are conducted in ethnic minority areas. This paper discusses the authors’ experiences and reflections on evaluations of development interventions in the Tibetan communities. The authors propose: (1) project participants’ values, including religion and spirituality, be fully integrated into project design, implementation, and evaluation and (2) evaluators be humble to gain insight and wisdom from ethnic cultures, and conduct evaluations in a culturally responsive way.

Theoretical justification for development as an institution for the development of investment and construction

The article is devoted to the theoretical aspects of development, project activities, the search and substantiation of the institutional importance of the development of this direction in the current economic situation in Russia, the construction industry, the problems of realizing development projects and the impact of the quality of operational evaluation of development projects on overall efficiency, efficiency and development of construction activities in a crisis and the quality of project management. An algorithm for the formation of development activity as an institution for the development of the investment and construction sphere in Russia has been developed. Theoretically, the algorithm and methodological approach to the quality management of the development project efficiency is justified.

Agile software development project evaluation using the partial least squares–structural equation modelling (PLS–SEM) approach in view of critical success indicators

In this study, the Agile software development process is analysed by means of success and failure criteria, and their effects are determined using the partial least squares – structural equation modelling methodology. The study identifies criticial success factors in Agile software development methodology and specifically focuses on indicators to conclude their significance of relationship and impact, so that the possible results are determined, predicted and exterminated in advance. The literature search determined the success indicators of agile projects in a mul ti-dimensional view of factors. Each factor was classified into sub-factors and indicators which helped to obtain a multi-dimensional view of the factors that made them more viable. The answers of the participants were mapped to the detailed criteria and applied to the model developed. The results which showed the effects of each sub-criteria mapped to one of the main criteria of the Agile software development process were determined and evaluated. Keywords: Critical success factors, success criteria, agile software development process, partial least squares – structural equation modeling, success indicator, failure indicator.

The Role of Information in Public Participation for Grassroots Development in Counties in Kenya

This article analyses the role of information in direct public participation for grassroots development in Kenya’s devolved government structure of 47 counties. The author reviewed relevant laws, research and government reports, and journals focusing on forms of and information dissemination channels for citizen participation, and information as a tool for participatory grassroots development in counties in Kenya. Findings established that the public in Kenya can directly participate in the planning, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of development projects, budget preparation, law and policy making. This participation is done through public hearings, petitions and memoranda submitted to county executives and legislatures. To disseminate information to citizens, county governments use print, broadcast and new media, notice boards, and public hearings. The information raises citizens’ awareness, political consciousness and mobilization needed for participatory grassroots development. An informed citizenry is core to participatory development. However, the public has limited access to information and direct participatory development in counties in Kenya is low. This may be attributed to gaps in information dissemination by county governments and citizens’ reluctance to seek information. This implies that county governments need to improve their information dissemination efforts; citizens should demand for access to and use of information.

Metodología Para La Evaluación Técnica De Proyectos De Infraestructura Educativa

This article describes a technical evaluation of studies or consultancies, using an adaptation of the methodology of multi-criteria analysis, usually applied in prioritization of programs and projects and evaluation of development projects. The methodology allows integration of the different criteria expressed by a group of professionals responsible for review and approval of consultancy studies used for the implementation of the country’s new Millennium Educational Units. The result of the technical evaluation of consulting with this methodology is quantitative, but qualitative variables complement our work.

Wirkungen von Friedensförderung, Entwicklungszusammenarbeit und Militarisierung – Konzepte und Praxis in Afghanistan

The Impact of Peacebuilding, Development Cooperation and Militarization – Concepts and Practice. In this article the authors question whether and how far development cooperation and peacebuilding in crisis areas can contribute to the prevention or reduction of violence. They provide an overview of different approaches which aim to integrate conflict sensitivity as a crosscutting issue into the planning, implementation and evaluation of development projects and programs. It has become widely accepted that even if humanitarian aid and development cooperation contribute to the improvement of the socio-economic situation of target groups, they might, at the same time, (unintentionally) lead to increased tensions and the escalation of conflicts. Likewise, common components of peacebuilding – such as the reintegration of refugees or the demobilization of militias – might have a negative impact on individuals and groups. Using Afghanistan as an example, it is investigated whether and how methods of civil crisis management and conflict transformation are applied in practice and how civil-military cooperation is organized. The authors argue that development cooperation and humanitarian aid in Afghanistan have, so far, been largely conflict-insensitive and – contrary to numerous programmatic claims – there have been no systematic attempts to use instruments of civil conflict transformation and peacebuilding.

Assessing Community Involvement in Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Projects. The Case of the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly, Ghana

Assessing Community Involvement in Monitoring and Evaluation of Development Projects. The Case of the Kwahu West Municipal Assembly, Ghana

A method for the evaluation of risk in IT projects

Information technology projects are particularly prone to failure due to their specific characteristics, making risk management become one of the critical elements in IT projects management. That is why several authors have developed risk evaluation methods, some of them based on fuzzy logic. This article proposes a new risk assessment method based in a combination of fuzzy analytic hierarchy process (FAHP) and fuzzy inference system (FIS). FIS is used for the integration of the groups of risk factors. These risk factors are the evaluation criteria of a modified FAHP which minimizes the disadvantages of the classic implementation of FAHP in order to obtain a more intuitive and easily adjustable model for multicriteria decision analysis with a lower computational need. The proposed model takes into consideration the different levels of uncertainty, the interrelationship among groups of risk factors, and the possibility of adding or suppressing options without losing the consistency with previous evaluations. The new method is especially suitable for the evaluation of development projects in the area of IT in which multiple interrelated risk factors can be particularly uncertain and imprecise. To implement the evaluation method, a hierarchy of risk factors was implemented. A numerical example is presented with data from three actual cases of IT projects, showing the applicability of the new method, the suitability of the selected taxonomy, and the significance of a few risk factors. Several future lines of work are proposed.

Real Options in Sustainable Development Projects

Sustainable development involves a change in the status quo. The most effective way for this change is driving projects. In a situation of limited resources, it is essential to choose the right project. Selection is based on an evaluation of the project. Traditionally, the evaluation of development projects is made on the basis of financial criteria. In the context of sustainable development, the social and environmental aspects must also be considered. Contemporary project valuation takes into account not only the static planned cash flows but also opportunities that may appear, known as real options. This paper describes a method for the valuation of development projects, taking into account the above aspects of valuation.

TOWARDS CREATING THE ASSESSMENT METHODOLOGY FOR URBAN ROAD TRANSPORT DEVELOPMENT PROJECTS

The assessment of development on transport infrastructure is a very complicated process using different methods and complexity substantiating their necessity to the State and the society. Accomplished analysis of the assessment of development projects on transport infrastructure used in foreign countries and Lithuania shows that standardized and united methodology does not exist; however many methods and their modifications are used in transport sector. Moreover, there is a problem concerning the assessment of development projects of urban and rural road transport infrastructure in Lithuania. It is obvious that differences between urban and rural road transport infrastructure do exist, but Lithuanian practice shows that common methods are used during the process of preparation and evaluation of development projects, including common assessment aspects, criteria and result indicators.

Research and development project evaluation based on an integrated common set of weights in data envelopment analysis and balanced scorecard approach

The objective of this article is to propose a new approach for evaluating research and development (R and D) projects in different stages of their life cycle. More recently, some researchers have proposed data envelopment analysis (DEA) as a tool for evaluating R&D projects. In order to eliminate the inconsistency caused by using different frontier facets to calculate efficiency, common set of weights DEA models have been developed, under which a group of decision making units (DMUs) can be ranked for a specific period. Our approach integrates the balanced scorecard (BSC) and common set of weights (CSW) in DEA and develops a new model for project evaluation. Key words: Data envelopment analysis, common set of weights, balanced scorecard, project evaluation.

When does rigorous impact evaluation make a difference? The case of the Millennium Villages

When is the rigorous impact evaluation of development projects a luxury, and when a necessity? The authors study one high-profile case: the Millennium Villages Project (MVP), an experimental and intensive package intervention to spark sustained local economic development in rural Africa. They illustrate the benefits of rigorous impact evaluation in this setting by showing that estimates of the project's effects depend heavily on the evaluation method. Comparing trends at the MVP intervention sites in Kenya, Ghana, and Nigeria with trends in the surrounding areas yields much more modest estimates of the project's effects than the before-versus-after comparisons published thus far by the MVP. Neither approach constitutes a rigorous impact evaluation of the MVP, which is impossible to perform due to weaknesses in the evaluation design of the project's initial phase. These weaknesses include the subjective choice of intervention sites, the subjective choice of comparison sites, the lack of baseline data on comparison sites, the small sample size, and the short time horizon. The authors describe one of many ways that the next wave of the intervention could be designed to allow proper evaluation of the MVP's impact at little additional cost.

The MACBETH approach for multi-criteria evaluation of development projects on cross-cutting issues

The European Union's efforts for poverty reduction are based on the principle of Sustainable Human Development. Meeting the terms of this principle entails the consideration of aspects of general interest, known as "cross-cutting issues", at all levels of intervention. Cross-cutting issues comprise issues like human rights, gender equity, environmental concern, democracy as a social value, or the participation and empowerment of the beneficiaries of development. These issues concern social phenomena that are difficult to isolate in time or capture empirically, causing operational difficulties when projects are subjected to evaluation. Traditional methods of project evaluation, such as Cost Benefit Analysis or the Logic Framework, struggle to incorporate impacts that are difficult to measure or estimate in terms of indicators or monetary value. Therefore, in the field work at a rural development programme located in Bolivia, a need arose spontaneously to find and implement an approach that, complementary to traditional methods of project evaluation, could allow project managers to keep an eye on project performances in terms of cross-cutting issues. This article describes how the MACBETH multicriteria approach was implemented in practice, in order to help an important rural development programme build a project evaluation tool, taking into account cross-cutting issues through a series of interviews and decision conferences attended by specialists and the programme staff.