The classification and organisation of monitoring and evaluation activities in agricultural development projects

Despite an increasing literature on monitoring and evaluation (M & E), no consensus has been reached on terminology, methodology, and the place of monitoring and evaluation activities in agricultural development projects. Any discussion of monitoring and evaluation activities must start with consideration of the planning and management cycle, of the anticipated sequence of project outputs, effects and impact flowing from project inputs, and of the different people involved in this sequence. From this basis, a more comprehensive terminology is suggested for different monitoring and evaluation activities, and organisational structures are proposed, to aid effective integration of monitoring, evaluation, planning and management. Finally, it is argued that project planning should give much more explicit and detailed attention to M & E activities.