RSS Experts have several years of experience in the development of theoretical and practical methodology in monitoring and evaluation. We provide a full set of monitoring and evaluation services and assist organisations to design, manage and review monitoring systems for programmes and projects.
We advise donor-funded programs, private companies, governments and NGOs on how to develop and implement M&E systems for public sector management, poverty reduction and improved livelihoods. We also undertake evaluation studies of projects, programmes, institutions, partnerships as well as for national and regional policies. Our services provide governments, development partners and the civil society with better means of learning from experience,improving service delivery, planning, resource allocation and demonstrating results as part of accountability to key stakeholders.
Within the development community, there is a strong focus on verifiable results that helps explain the growing interest in Monitoring & Evaluation. RSS’s Monitoring and Evaluation structure entails collecting and analysing data and information about a project which tells an organization whether they are on track to reach their objectives and whether their project has achieved or contributed to the desired impact or not. An organization must monitor the project during implementation as well as evaluate its impact at the end of the project. This in turn allows the organization to adapt the program as needed to ensure that they attain their objectives.
Our approach to monitoring and evaluation is multidisciplinary – connecting technical processes with the social, economic and institutional elements. Historically, evaluation has merely focused on reporting on what has been achieved using quantitative indicators. However if evaluation is to be useful for management and learning it must address not only the question of what has been achieved, but also the questions of; how was it achieved, why has there been success or failure; what are the implications for the projects; and what can be done about the situation.
In our view, the “what, when, where, why and how” questions can only be addressed through open dialogue among all actors involved in a specific intervention and thus require effective use of qualitative methods. RSS experts have a strong record in using participatory techniques for creating optimal interaction and open dialogue among stakeholders during the evaluation process.
RSS has been applying its extensive capabilities in Monitoring & Evaluation principles on behalf of our clients within Africa for several years, by providing research, analysis, expert testimony, and operational insight in complex project situations. Our process of monitoring and evaluation generally helps to answer the following key questions:
- Inputs: Were program inputs available, adequate and timely?
- Activities: Were activities performed on schedule?
- Outputs: Were outputs produced? Were they of acceptable quality?
- Effects: Were effects observed?
- Impact: Was impact achieved?
Furthermore, our evaluation processes adopt the five OECD/DAC evaluation criteria of relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability. We bring together a thorough understanding of programme analysis, comprehensive assessments, a commitment to innovative application of research methodologies, information technologies, statistics, qualitative and quantitative techniques as well as a passion for finding the correct answers. RSS brings the right perspective and the most valuable insights to every project we take on, no matter the situation.
Our service offering includes:
- Research Study Design
- Project Planning & Implementation
- Project Evaluation
- Project Cycle Management
- Result Measurement Frameworks
- Statistical Analysis & Reporting
