User:GASHEMA Robert Warren/sandbox

What are monitoring and evaluation?
Monitoring Systematic and continuous assessment of the progress of a piece of work over time, which checks that things are “going to plan” and enables adjustments to be made in a methodical way. Monitoring is the routine tracking of the key elements of program/project performance, usually inputs and outputs and some of the outcomes, through record-keeping, regular reporting and surveillance systems as well as observation and studies.

Evaluation

The episodic assessment of the change in targeted results that can be attributed to the program or project. Evaluation attempts to link a particular output or outcome directly to an intervention after a period of time has passed.

An evaluation is usually carried out at some significant stage in the project’s development, eg at the end of a planning period, as the project moves to a new phase, or in response to a particular critical issue.

Impact assessment

The assessment of the long-term and wide-ranging changes that a project or programs brings about, including unintended and negative changes. Impact assessment focuses on changes beyond those visible or achieved during the lifetime of most projects or programs, and is therefore usually undertaken some time after the project or program implementation period.