Effects of technology on the performance of monitoring and evaluation system in projects undertaken by non-governmental organizations’ projects in Ghana
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Date
2021-06-23
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Abstract
The demands for greater accountability and real results have increased, there is an attendant need
for enhanced results-based monitoring and evaluation (M&E) of policies, programs, and projects.
A functional M&E systems as a results-based management tools involves careful collection of
realistic proof to determine the degree to which expected outcomes are achieved. In gathering this
M&E data, most of the developing countries and local NGOs still largely depend on paper-based
data collection and reporting of information, an approach with inherent problems related to poor
infrastructure, timeliness, quality and accurate data flow. These challenge affect the effective
performance of M&E system which rely on quality data. This study seek to assess the effects of
technology on the performance of M&E system in Non-Governmental Organization in Ghana. The
study adopted quantitative research approach to collect data for better understanding of M&E
system, how technology affect data collection and quality and M&E system challenges in the
NGOs. A structured questionnaire was employed to capture data from 53 sampled NGOs in the
Northern region. A response rate of 96 percent was recorded. Data was analyzed using descriptive
statistical method, frequency and percentages, mean score ranking and Relative Importance Index
raking (RII) and presented in tables. The study revealed that, management of local NGOs have
seen the need for effective M&E system in measuring performance and impacts of interventions
and have therefore set up M&E systems in their organizations. The use of technological tools had
positive effects on the performance of M&E system through its effect on data collection and
quality. The greatest effect was on timeliness and integrity of data that influence management
decision making and impact evaluation even though there were some challenges that face M&E
system and the use of technology like limited network and security risk among others. The study
concludes that, the use of technology in M&E data collection, analysis and quality have a positiveiv
relationship M&E system and therefore need to be integrated in all stages of project life cycle. The
study therefore recommend that, Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) should be developed and
enforce to ensure proper integration of technology into M&E system as M&E system is integrated
in all stages of project life cycle. Also, modern technology for M&E data analysis and storage like
online databases (servers, dropbox, clouds etc.) should be integrated in organizational M&E
system. Human, financial and material resource allocation with the support of SOPs would help
address the challenges of M&E system.
Description
A thesis submitted to the Department of Construction Technology and Management,
College of Art and Built Environment in partial fulfillment of the requirement for the Degree of
Master of Science
Keywords
Technology, Monitoring and evaluation, Data quality and non-governmental organization, Performance of monitoring and evaluation system