Assignment 2: MDP 505 – Theory of Change & M&E Plan

The intent of the assignment is for students to apply the concepts of a theory of change or logic model

and M&E plan to their chosen project for the course. Students should use the resources provided for

class as well as additional research to develop a creative, useful, and effective theory of change or logic

model and M&E plan. The output of the assignment will be a one-page logic model and a 3-4-page M&E

plan as well as a short (1-2 paragraph) description of the thinking behind the assignment. Students

should not choose projects or programs that already have theories of change and/or M&E plans.

The theory of change or logic model should clearly communicate project activities, outputs, outcomes,

and impact as well as the causal chains that relate one to the other. Students are strongly encouraged to

review the examples shared by others for the homework assignment as well as examples found on the

Internet to consider creative and innovative ways to visually communicate a project’s objectives.

The M&E plan should include, at minimum, the following:

• A short program description.

• A monitoring plan for the list of indicators aligned with the logic model. This should include

information on the how, when, and by whom in data collection.

• Methods for data collection and management.

• A plan for analysis, dissemination, and learning.

Students are strongly encouraged to research existing M&E plans and to innovate based on the project’s

needs.

For the third part of the assignment, students should include a 1-2 paragraph explanation of the thought

process behind the development of the theory of change or logic model as well as the M&E plan. This

should include what key questions did the student ask, what did they assume about the project and its

needs, and any particular sources of inspiration.

The assignment is intended to promote critical thinking about how to develop useful, relevant, and

innovative theories of change/logic models and M&E plans based on the principles discussed in class.

Clear use of concepts and concise and accessible writing is essential.

The synopsis of the project you chose to do can be found below.

Due date: Monday, March 8, 2020

A SYNOPSIS OF MY PROJECT
I have considered for my project, the construction of a village elementary school (K-1 to
grade 6) for children of school-going age, 3 – 12 years in Vartiker Town. Vartiker Town is
seven miles away from Kakata City, Margibi County, Liberia, West Africa. Vartiker Town
population is approximately 1, 500 inhabitants inclusive of 659 pupils of school-going age.
The village was established in 1906 because of people farming in this area. It also has
ten satellite villages. Since the inception of this village, there has been no educational
facility constructed in this area and children born here have had no access to education.
If they must, they must relocate to a family member to the city or elsewhere. The project
is to construct a seven-classroom structure, three offices, a library, a teacher’s lounge,
restrooms for students and staff, and a storeroom. The construction of this school will
create an environment for kids of this community to acquire primary education.
To achieve the project, I am considering the following questions. These questions set the
basis for the project. I believe that these questions provide insight into the project. The
questions consider several aspects of the project. Getting the appropriate response to
these will lead to the successful implementation of the project.

1. What is the primary goal of the project?
2. Who are the beneficiaries?
3. Who are the stakeholders involved in the process of the project implementation?
4. What are the resources needed for the successful implementation of this

project?
5. Who will provide the resources needed for the project?
6. How will the school be operated?
7. How will the project be sustained?

RESOURCES TO USE:

The Road to Results: Designing and Conducting Effective Development Evaluations
(pp. 182-206 & pp. 221-244)

https://www.google.com/books/edition/The_Road_to_Results/NEsg-
BtinIsC?hl=en&gbpv=1&printsec=frontcover

How to Develop a Monitoring & Evaluation Plan (Links to an external site.)
Good Evaluation Questions (Links to an external site.)
Develop agreed key evaluation questions (Links to an external site.)
Evaluation Plan (Links to an external site.) (look through resources)
Enhance Utilization with Post-Evaluation Action Planning (Links to an external site.)

Additional Resources

Rewearing the Art of Asking Questions (Links to an external site.)
CSO Evaluability Assessment Checklist (Links to an external site.)
Evaluating Impacts of Peacebuilding Interventions (Links to an external site.)

Developing an Evaluation Plan

https://www.thecompassforsbc.org/how-to-guides/how-develop-monitoring-and-evaluation-plan

https://www.cdc.gov/asthma/program_eval/AssessingEvaluationQuestionChecklist

https://www.betterevaluation.org/en/node/5282

https://www.betterevaluation.org/en/evaluation-options/evaluation_planning_templates

Post-Eval Action Plan Week: Enhance Utilization with Post-evaluation Action Planning by Kylie Hutchinson

https://hbr.org/2015/03/relearning-the-art-of-asking-questions

https://www.state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/CSO-Evaluability-Assessment-Checklist-Working-Draft

https://www.cdacollaborative.org/wp-content/uploads/2016/02/Evaluating-Impacts-of-Peacebuilding-Interventions

https://ctb.ku.edu/en/table-of-contents/evaluate/evaluation/evaluation-plan/main