Table of Contents -> Programme Monitoring Reviews

Programme Monitoring Reviews

"It  is  mandatory  for  each  programme  to   have  a  programme  monitoring  review" - Guide to Mandatory Procedures (2011). 

Involving men and women living in poverty in a Monitoring Review 

Involving women and men living in poverty in a Monitoring Review is not straightforward and you may be faced with a number of challenges. However, ensuring that their views are informing programme discussions and decisions is crucial. Below are three different approaches to involving women and men living in poverty in a Monitoring Review. Each takes a progressively more participatory approach.

Approach 1: focus groups – men and women living in poverty are not present at the meeting, but their feedback on programme performance has been collected in advance through community focus groups.

Approach 2: limited representation – this builds on Approach 1, but in this approach representatives of men and women living in poverty are also present at the Monitoring Review to interpret data and make decisions based on the information presented.

Approach 3: widespread participation – this approach decentralises the Monitoring Review process. It involves running multiple events that inform a programme-level review.

Planning a Monitoring Review  

Individual reflection can be done informally, but when you bring together a range of stakeholders to reflect and learn you should consider how the day will be structured, what questions will be asked, who will be present, and what information will be shared. Good preparation is crucial to a successful Monitoring Review and should involve the following steps:

• Decide on the focus of the Monitoring Review – you may wish to pick a particular part of your programme or a way of working (such as partnership or gender mainstreaming) to focus on during your review.

• Identify and summarise your monitoring and evaluation data – use wall-charts, tables and handouts to share the findings of your analysis with participants.

• Decide who should participate and at what point – consider which programme team members should participate and whether it is appropriate to invite support staff (for example from finance or logistics) or managers such as your Country Director. You will also need to think about which partners should be present and whether it is appropriate to involve men and women living in poverty, as detailed above.

Following up on a Monitoring Review

The action and learning points from a Monitoring Review should be documented shortly after the event, shared with wider stakeholders, and attached to your PIP in OPAL.

Source: OGB Programme Framework

For extensive guidance on how to conduct Programme Monitoring Reviews - See Oxfam GB Programme Monitoring Reviews: Mandatory Requirements and Support Materials 

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Table of Contents -> Programme Monitoring Reviews