2016 ICT4D Conference

The primary objective of conducting monitoring and evaluation is to allow project teams to run projects effectively, ensuring they have desired results for beneficiaries (ACF, 2011), these situation is coupled with increased demand for results from donor funded projects in the 21st century (IIRR, 2012). Thus, indicating and appreciating the strategic role monitoring and evaluation play in pre-project, continuous and post project implementation to establish the effectiveness and efficiency of project being implemented. The evidence collected throughout the above indicated stages is then used to influence the decisions that are made and affect outcomes. The desire to make informed decisions based on reliable, valid, accurate and timely information has seen many organizations adopt modern technology in data collection.
The uptake of information technology in monitoring and evaluation however, remains dismal despite it is widely acknowledged role. Therefore, it is important that full adoption is emphasized as it plays a fundamental role in ensuring; data quality that is free of manipulation in real time for purposes of monitoring; implementation of key interventions such as by use of SMS, videos and online teaching aids, biometric and GIS information among others and most importantly use of mobile based data collection in field based audits, surveys and observations, photographs and Geographic Information.
The role of mobile-based data collection continues to rise to the occasion. It has to a large extent been deployed by many organizations suite their data collection needs. Some of the benefits of mobile-based data collection tools over the use of paper include the following:
- When used online they allow for tracking progress in real time.
- Offer the functionality of being able to effect changes in the survey instrument if the need arises despite, the surveyors going on with the exercise.
- Allow for setting up of loops thus, skipping non applicable question to the respondent
- Allow for setting up of validation checks thus, conducting some level of data cleaning based on inbuilt feature of the application.
- Offers real time access to data, thus allowing for quality checks and audits to ensure validity, appropriateness, completeness and authenticity of the data being collected.
- Environmentally friendly as it is paperless