Monitoring and Evaluation Tools and Proj
Monitoring and Evaluation Tools and Proj
e-ISSN: 2278-487X, p-ISSN: 2319-7668. Volume 23, Issue 6. Ser. VIII (June 2021), PP 32-41
www.iosrjournals.org
Abstract
Background: This research examined the effects of monitoring and evaluation tools on project performance in
Rwanda using a case study of Busanza housing project, Kicukiro district. The study objectives were, to identify
the effect of M&E Plan on Busanza Housing Project, identify the effect of logical framework on Busanza
Housing Project and to identify the effect of formal survey on Busanza Housing Project.
Materials and methods: The study employed both qualitative and quantitative research approaches. It was
qualitative in a sense that the researcher measured the perceptions of respondents on the contributions of M&E
tools on the success of a housing project based on the researcher’s objectives. The researcher also employed
quantitative research approach which was descriptive research design due to the nature and size of the target
population and the results was analyzed using inferential statistics. The target population was 120 people
consisted of 3 managers of contractors, 30 Kicukiro District staffs and 87 beneficiaries. Stratified sampling
technique was used to have all parts of the population equally covered in the exercise of collecting data. Simple
random sampling technique was also employed in the selection of respondents from each small group of the
population under study. Using Sloven’s formula, a sample size of 94 respondents were selected to participate in
this study. Questionnaires, interview guide and document analysis schedules were used to collect the data. Data
entry, coding, cleaning and analysis was done with the help of SPSS software version 25. Tables, Figures and
textual models were used to present analyzed data.
Results: Throughout the findings, it was concluded that M&E plan effected the performance of Busanza housing
project as indicated by M&E plan and stakeholders’ satisfaction correlated (r=.348**, p=.001), planning for
M&E enabled delivery on time correlated at (r=.750**, p= 0.002) and planning for M&E facilitated project
delivery within the budget (r=.148**, p=.004). on the second objective was concluded that logical framework
influenced the performance of Busanza housing project as indicated by Logical framework and increased
stakeholders’ satisfaction (r=.323**, p=.002), logical framework enabled delivery on time (r=.254**, p=
0.016) and the logical frame work facilitated delivery within the budget (r=.922**, p=.011). On the third
objective, It was concluded that Formal survey correlated with the performance of Busanza housing project.
This was indicated by formal survey of M&E and increased stakeholders’ satisfaction (r=.510**, p=.041),
Formal survey for M&E enabled delivery on time (r=.291**, p= 0.005) and the formal survey for M&E
facilitated housing project delivery within the budget (r=.243**, p=.021). About the effects of M&E tools on
Busanza housing project, it was concluded that combined effects of M&E plan, logical framework and formal
survey explains 72.7 percent on stakeholder’s satisfaction; 55.3% on time that Busanza housing project was
delivered, and 75.3% on the effective use of Budget at Busanza housing project in Kicukiro district, the study
recommend effective use of M&E tools in project management.
Key words: Monitoring & Evaluation Tools; Project Performance; Busanza housing project
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Date of Submission: 15-06-2021 Date of Acceptance: 30-06-2021
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I. Introduction
In the contemporary world monitoring and evaluation tools play a leading role in determining the
efficiency and effectiveness of projects in most countries through assessing the performance of projects right
away from selection, planning, implementation until they reach at completion stage. Tola (2019) indicated that
monitoring and evaluation tool is a guide or a road map that demonstrates the objectives and goals of a project
or a group of projects and explains what will happen to the project from planning stage up to the period the
project attains its goals and brings the intended impact to the project owner and the community. Monitoring is
an ongoing activity that takes place throughout the implementation of a project or a program and is used to
compare what a project has delivered and what was planned before. Evaluation on the other hand is a way of
With n representing the size of the sample, N= Total population and e is the Error of tolerance which is
equal to 0.05; Sample size=120/1+120(0.05)2 = 120/ (1+120*0.0025) = 120/(1+0.3) = 120/1.3 = 94 respondents.
The number of respondents were selected proportionally where; 27 staffs in Kicukiro district; 3 project
managers and 63 beneficiaries of Busanza housing project. During the process of data collection for this
research different sampling method were employed to select appropriate respondents; simple random and
stratified sampling techniques were used. Employees at Kicukiro district were sampled using stratified
sampling, managers and beneficiaries were selected with the help of simple random sampling. This provided
equal chance to every individual to participate in the study. These techniques facilitated the researcher to obtain
real information directly from different respondents and different units in order to achieve the study objectives.
According to Heaton (2004) data collection methods varies from one person to another but has some
similarities. The study employed primary and secondary data to collect data for this study. In the course of
investigation, primary data was collected through questionnaires and interview guide administrated to the
respondents of the study. While, documents analysis schedules give secondary data.
The researcher employed questionnaires since the responses gathered were in a standardized and
organized way and it is one of the quickest ways of collecting information. The questionnaire was regarded as
beneficial to the respondents since it gives well thought answers as they do it in the absence of the researcher.
Closed questions were used to obtain respondents’ responses and it is the easiest way of answering since it
requires short answers. The questionnaire was in open-ended format, this gives opportunities to the respondents
to demonstrate their answers deeply and also to facilitate the researcher capture some information not
highlighted in the questionnaire. The questionnaire was organized in Likert scale format, where. 1= Strongly
Disagree, 2= Disagree, N= Neutral, 4=Agree, and 5= Strongly Agree. In addition, complement data was
collected from interview. Sekaran (2003) defines Key informants as respondents who hold and provide
important information relevant to the study. In case of clarifications or where the respondents lack
concentration, face to face interview was also employed. In this regard, 4 participants were given interview
including: 3 project managers of Busanza Housing Project and 1 corporate manager of Kicukiro District.
Questionnaires were administered to 90 respondents who consist of stakeholders of Busanza Housing project
including; workers of the project and owners of houses.
After data collection and coding and clearing was followed with the help of SPSS 22 nd version. Having
done with coding, descriptive (mean, frequency & percentages) and inferential statistics (Karl Pearson
correlation coefficient and regression model) were computed for quantitative data collected from questionnaires
whereas qualitative data was collected from interview guide. Data was presented in form of tables to facilitate
interpretation. The regression model used were as follow:
Y=Project performance, = Constant term; =Beta coefficients; X1= Planning process; X2= Logical
frame work; X3= Formal survey; e= Error term; The study used the regression analysis modal to investigate the
effect of M&E plan, logical frame work and formal survey on project performance and the findings displayed
using Tables.
At the project initial stage, the project 0 0.0 9 10 9 10 35 37.4 37 42.6 3.87 1.07
allocates funds for monitoring and
evaluation.
The M&E plans contain the M&E 0 0.0 0 0.0 18 20 36 40 45 50 4.31 1.19
planning process.
In M&E plan, activities are clearly 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 18 20 72 80 4.40 0.66
defined in the organization.
The M&E plan support decision making 9 10 0 0.0 0 0.0 27 30 54 60 4.26 1.21
during implementation.
The M&E plan helps to estimate the cost 0 0.0 0 0.0 0 0.0 36 40 54 60.0 4.54 0.58
of the required resource for M&E.
Total 2 2.2 2 2.2 5 5.56 30 33.34 51 56.7
Source: Primary Data, 2021.
Table 1 shows the extent to which respondents appreciated M&E plan in Busanza housing project.
Presentation and analysis were based on the provided statement. The first statement was “at the project initial
stage, the project allocates funds for monitoring and evaluation”. The findings revealed that 9 (10%) disagree,
9(10%) were neutral, 35(37.4%) agree and 37(42.6%) strongly agreed that the project allocates adequate funds
for monitoring and evaluation activities and this help the project to achieve the intended goals. These findings
were in line with the findings presented by Dumba (2014) who views project plan as a means of designing a
project that defines objectives, identifying tasks to be done which led to the project success. The second
statement was “the M&E plan contain the M&E planning process”. On the second statement 18 (20.0%) were
neutral 36 (40.0%) agree and 45(50.0%) strongly agreed that M&E plan contained the M&E planning process
and this contributed to the project performance. These findings were supported by the findings presented by
Johnston (2018) that setting M&E helps to detect frauds which hinder effective completion of the project. The
third statement was “In M&E plan, activities are clearly defined in the organization” on this statement the
findings revealed that 18(20.0%) agreed and 72(80%) strongly agreed that planning process of M&E was clearly
defined in Busanza housing project this influence project performance. These findings were in line with the
recommendation given by project management institute (PMI, 2008) which noted that project monitoring starts
with the first day of project implementation to track project progress and minimize unneeded actions that hinder
smooth running of the project toward the completion of planned goals. The fourth statement was “the M&E
plan support decision making during implementation phase”. On this fourth statement, the findings revealed that
9(10%) strongly disagree; 27(30%) agreed and 54(60) strongly agreed that the M&E plan supported decision
making during the implementation phase. These findings concur the findings presented by Mc Hill, (2011) that
monitoring and Evaluation provide useful information to the decision makers and improve the success of the
project. The fifth statement was “the M&E plan helps to estimate the cost of the required resource for M&E”
on the fifth statement the findings revealed that 36 (40%) agreed, and 54(60%) strongly agreed that M&E plan
help to estimate the cost of the required resources for M&E. This finding collaborated with the findings
presented by Eshna (2012) that planning for M&E helped in industrial project cost estimation. On average, 2
(2.20%) strongly disagree, 2(2.20%) disagree, 5(5.56%) were neutral, 30 (33.34%) agreed and 51(56.7%)
strongly agreed that M&E plan was employed in Busanza housing project. These findings were supported by
Tola Data (2019) that a good planning acts as a necessary tool of any M&E system and it enables the project
staff to think clearly before going through implementation process. In similar manner, US navy (1992) revealed
that majority of poor monitoring and evaluation contributed a lot to the failure of Navy projects.
Correlation Analysis
Table 2 M&E Plan and Busanza Housing Project Performance
Correlations
M&E plan increased M&E plan enabled M&E plan
stakeholder delivery on time facilitated delivery
satisfaction on budget
Pearson Correlation 1 .750 .348**
M&E Plan increased stakeholder
Sig. (2-tailed) .002 .001
satisfaction
N 90 90 90
Pearson Correlation .750 1 .148
M&E plan enabled delivery on time Sig. (2-tailed) .002 .004
N 90 90 90
Pearson Correlation .348** .148 1
M&E plan facilitated delivery on
Sig. (2-tailed) .001 .004
budget
N 90 90 90
As indicated in Table 2, there is significant correlations between M&E plan and increased stakeholder
satisfaction (r=.348**, p=.001), M&E plan enabled delivery on time (.750**, p= 0.002) and M&E plan
facilitated delivery within the budget (r=.148**, p=.004). These correlations were statistically significant given
that the p value was < 0.05 suggesting that M&E plan influence the performance of Busanza housing project in
Kicukiro District. The findings were supported by findings collected from interview held with the manager of
housing project in Busanza Kicukiro district, that “yes, planning for monitoring and evaluation helped to
improve the performance of housing project in Busanza Kicukiro District”. These findings were supported by
the findings presented by Kawonga, et al. (2012), that poor setting goals for M&E lead to the failure of HIV
project in countries.
Table 3 presents logical framework data, and the extent to which it was used in housing project in
Busanza Kicukiro district. The data was presented in Likert scale. Whereas, findings, presentation and analysis
followed provided statement. The first statement was “the logical frame work was defined to support the
performance of a project”. On the first statement the findings revealed that 9(10%) strongly disagree, 27(30%)
disagree, and 54(60%) strongly agreed that logical frame work was well defined to support the performance of
Busanza housing project. The second statement was “the logical frame work guided systematic and logical
analysis of key interrelated elements that constitute a given project”. On this second statement the findings
indicated that 1(1.10%) strongly disagree, 1(1.10%) disagree, 70(77.80%) agree, and 18(20%) strongly agreed
that logical frame work guided the systematic and logical analysis of key interrelated elements that constitute
housing project in Busanza Kicukiro District. The third statement was “logical framework facilitates better
communication among decision makers”. On the third statement the findings indicated that 18(20%) were
neutral, 45(50%) and 27 (30%) strongly agreed that logical frame work facilitated better communication among
decision makers of housing project in Busanza Kicukiro district. The fourth statement was “logical framework
prepares for successful results”. On the fourth statement the findings indicated that 18 (20.0%) disagree;
9(10.0%) were neutral; 18 (20.0%) agreed; and 45(50%) strongly agreed that logical frame work was prepared
for successful results in Busanza housing project. The fifth statement was “ensures continuity of approach when
the original project staff is replaced”. On the fourth statement the findings indicated that 9 (10.0%) strongly
disagreed; 9 (10.0%) disagreed; 54(60.0%) agree; and 18(20.0%) were strongly agreed that logical frame work
ensured the continuity of approach when the original project staff was replaced.
On average, the findings indicated that 3(3.40%) disagreed, 5(5.40%) disagreed; 5(5.4%) were neutral;
47(52.46%) agreed, and 30(33.34%) strongly agreed that logical framework technic was effectively used in
Busanza housing project in Kicukiro district. These findings collaborated with the findings presented by Bob
(2009) logical frame work is among the key tool used in monitoring and evaluation. Relationship between
Logical Framework and the Performance of Busanza Housing Project in Kicukiro District There was a need to
establish the extent to which logical framework correlated with the performance of Busanza housing project in
Kicukiro district, the collected was presented in the followings:
As indicated in Table 4, there significant correlations found between logical framework and increased
stakeholders’ satisfaction (r=.323**, p=.002), logical framework enabled delivery on time (.254**, p= 0.016)
and the logical frame work facilitated delivery within the budget (r=.922**, p=.011). These correlations were
statistically significant given that the p value was < 0.05 suggesting that logical frame work influence the
performance of housing project in Busanza Kicukiro District. These findings were supported by the interview
held with project manager who noted that yes, it is true a well-structured logo frame played a role in the
performance of housing project in Busanza. These findings were supported by Johnston (2012) that there a link
between effective use of logical framework and project performance.
Table 5 presents formal survey data, and the extent to which it was used in housing project in Busanza
Kicukiro district. The data was presented in Likert scale format, whereas, the findings presentation and analysis
followed provided statement. The first statement was “formal survey provides baseline data useful for M&E”.
On this statement the findings indicated that none disagreed; 9 (10%) were neutral; 45(50%) agreed; and
36(40%) strongly agreed that formal survey provide baseline data useful for M&E process in the housing project
in Busanza Kicukiro district. The second statement was “formal survey compares changes overtime”. On this
statement the findings indicated that 9(10%) disagreed; 4560%) agreed; and 27(30%) strongly agreed that
formal survey helped to compare Busanza housing project progress changes overtime. The third statement was
“formal survey compare actual conditions with the targets establishes in the program”. On this statement the
findings indicated that 1(1.10%) strongly disagreed; 17 (18.9%) disagreed; 1(1.10%) were neutral; 62(68.9%)
agreed; and 9(10%) strongly agreed that formal survey helps to compare actual conditions with the targets
establishes in the program of housing project in Busanza Kicukiro District. The fourth statement was “data
collection methods and timeline are defined”. On this statement the findings indicated that 12(13.3%) strongly
disagree; 2(2.2%) disagreed; 1(1.1%) were neutral; 75(83.3%) agreed that data collection methods and timeline
were defined. The fifth statement was “reporting data is created to interpret the findings”. On this statement the
findings indicated that 1(1.1%) strongly disagree; 1(1.1%) disagreed; 9(10%) were neutral; 52(57.8%) agreed;
and 27(30%) strongly agreed that reporting data was created to facilitate the interpretation of the collected data
Correlation Analysis
Table 6 Formal Survey for M&E and Housing Project Performance in Busanza
Correlations
As indicated in Table 6, there significant correlations found between formal survey of M&E and
increased stakeholders’ satisfaction (r=.510**, p=.041), Formal survey for M&E enabled delivery on time
(.291**, p= 0.005) and the formal survey for M&E facilitated housing project delivery within the budget
(r=.243**, p=.021). These correlations were statistically significant given that the p value was < 0.05 suggesting
that formal survey influence the performance of housing project in Busanza, Kicukiro District. Content analysis
from interview held with project manager revealed that data for project progress was collected daily and
analyzed weekly, and this provide important tools to the project manager to take relevant decision leading to the
project success. These findings were not far from the recommendation given by project management institute
(PMI, 2012) that for project to succeed M&E data should be collected from the first day of project
implementation.
Regression Analysis
Table7: Model Summary
Model R R Square Adjusted R Square Std. Error of the Estimate
1 .868a .753 .748 .52288
a. Predictors: (Constant), planning for M&E, logical frame work; formal survey
Source: Primary (2021)
The findings presented in Table 7: on model summary indicates that R= 0.868, R- square = 0. 753,
adjusted R- square= 0.748, and the SE= 0. 52288. The coefficient of determination also called the R square is
0.753. This means that the combined effect of the independent variables (planning for M&E, logical frame
work; formal survey) explains 75.3% of the variations for housing project in Busanza for being delivered within
the budget. This implies that a change in independent variables has a strong and a positive effect on the budget
allocated on housing project in Busanza Kicukiro district.
In Table 9: shows the regression coefficients of the independent variables planning for M&E, logical
frame work; formal survey is statistically significant in explaining effective use of housing project budget in
Busanza Kicukiro district. It showed that planning for M&E is statistically significant to increase effective use
of budget in housing project in Busanza (B=0.963, p value=0.000). This implies that an improvement in M&E
plan by one unit leads to an increase 0.963 units chance for being delivered within the budget. Furthermore,
table 4.22 indicated that logical framework was also statistically significant to increase effective use of budget at
Busanza housing project as indicated by (B=0.121, p value=0.035). This implies that an improvement in logical
frame work by one unit leads to an increase 0.121 units of the chance of project to be delivered within the
budget. Surprisingly, formal survey shows no statistically significant to decrease effective use of budget in
housing project in Busanza this was indicated by (B=-0.657, p value=0.000). This implies that an improvement
in formal survey by one unit decrease 0.657unit on the chance of the project to be delivered within the budget.
These findings were against the findings presented by Bob (2009); Gorgens and Kusek (2009), who emphasized
the role of formal survey for M&E on the success of the project.
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Ntambara Alex, et. al. “Monitoring & Evaluation Tools and Project Performance in Rwanda. A
Case Study of Busanza Housing Project Kicukiro District.” IOSR Journal of Business and
Management (IOSR-JBM), 23(06), 2021, pp. 32-41.