What is Monitoring?

What is Monitoring?

Monitoring is the regular observation and recording of activities taking place in a project or programme. It is a process of routinely gathering information on all aspects of the project.To monitor is to check on how project activities are progressing. It is observation; systematic and purposeful observation. Monitoring also involves giving feedback about the progress of the project to the donors, implementors and beneficiaries of the project. Reporting enables the gathered information to be used in making decisions for improving project performance.

Purpose of Monitoring:

Monitoring is very important in project planning and implementation. It is like watching where you are going; you can adjust as you go along and ensure that you are on the right track.

Monitoring provides information that will be useful in:

• Analysing the situation in the community and its project;
• Determining whether the inputs in the project are well utilised;
• Identifying problems facing the community or project and finding solutions;
• Ensuring all activities are carried out properly by the right people and in time;
• Using lessons from one project experience on to another; and
• Determining whether the way the project was planned is the most appropriate way of solving the problem at hand.