Executive Summary

This course aims to build the capacity of participants in monitoring and evaluating public policies by providing practical tools, modern methodologies, and performance indicators for assessing the effectiveness and impact of government policies.

It emphasizes evidence-based decision-making, the development of measurable indicators, and the integration of evaluation processes into the policy cycle to enhance transparency, accountability, and institutional learning.

Introduction

Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) are essential components of good governance and effective policy-making.

They help assess progress, identify gaps, and provide critical feedback to improve public service delivery and optimize policy impact.

This course introduces the core concepts of M&E, guides participants in developing robust systems, and equips them with tools to generate actionable insights through quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Course Objectives

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Understand the concepts and functions of monitoring and evaluation in public policy
• Design logical and measurable performance indicators
• Select appropriate evaluation methodologies and tools
• Build integrated M&E systems aligned with policy goals
• Analyze evaluation findings and translate them into strategic recommendations
• Integrate evaluation results into institutional policy improvement

Target Audience

• Government officers involved in planning, evaluation, and reporting
• Policy-makers and public program managers
• Specialists in economic, social, and development policy
• Researchers and staff from think tanks or advisory bodies
• Development professionals and donor agency personnel

Training Outline

Day 1: Introduction to Public Policy Monitoring and Evaluation

• Defining monitoring and evaluation in the policy context

• The role of M&E in enhancing efficiency and accountability

• Public policy lifecycle and evaluation entry points

• Institutional frameworks for M&E in government

• Case studies of successful policy evaluations

Day 2: Designing Performance Indicators and Monitoring Tools

• Characteristics of effective indicators (SMART, L-SMART)

• Types of indicators: input, output, outcome, impact

• Data collection methods to support indicators

• Building an indicator matrix and monitoring framework

• Practical exercises: Designing indicators for real policy scenarios

Day 3: Evaluation Methodologies and Tools

• Quantitative vs. qualitative evaluation methods

• Introduction to impact evaluation and causal analysis

• Data collection tools: surveys, interviews, focus groups

• Selecting methods aligned with policy evaluation goals

• Data analysis and interpretation of results

Day 4: Building and Managing M&E Systems

• Designing an integrated M&E system for public institutions

• Managing databases and digital M&E platforms

• Planning evaluations: timelines, teams, roles

• Ensuring credibility, quality, and ethical standards

• Local and international case applications

Day 5: Using Evaluation Results and Reporting

• Writing clear and effective evaluation reports

• Translating findings into evidence-based recommendations

• Integrating M&E results into policy and planning cycles

• Communicating results to stakeholders and decision-makers

• Workshop: Drafting an evaluation report for a selected policy

Conclusion

This course provides a structured approach to monitoring and evaluating public policies, enhancing the ability of institutions to learn, adapt, and deliver better outcomes.

Participants will gain essential tools to make informed, transparent, and data-driven decisions that improve policy performance and public value.