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Project Monitoring & Evaluation Guide

The Project Monitoring & Evaluation course at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University aims to equip students with skills in planning, managing, and evaluating projects within the social work context. It covers various aspects of project management, including design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, while emphasizing a pro-poor and participatory approach. Assessments include project proposals, group presentations, and an examination, contributing to a final grade based on assignments and a semester-end exam.
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
26 views7 pages

Project Monitoring & Evaluation Guide

The Project Monitoring & Evaluation course at Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University aims to equip students with skills in planning, managing, and evaluating projects within the social work context. It covers various aspects of project management, including design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation, while emphasizing a pro-poor and participatory approach. Assessments include project proposals, group presentations, and an examination, contributing to a final grade based on assignments and a semester-end exam.
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

ZIMBABWE EZEKIEL GUTI UNIVERSITY

FACULTY OF HUMANITIES, EDUCATION AND SOCIAL SCIENCES

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL WORK

MODULE GUIDE

PROJECT MONITORING & EVALUATION (ASW422)

LECTURER: MR MAGAVUDE TJ

CELL: +263777593997

EMAIL: tmagavude@[Link]
PURPOSE OF THE COURSE

This course is premised along community work as a Social Work method. To that end, it serves
the following purposes:
1. To equip students with the requisite skills in planning, managing and evaluating
projects as a way of getting services to the people.
2. To prepare students to take a pro-poor and participatory approach to service planning
and delivery in line with the Social Work ethos.
3. To produce graduates who are articulate and proficient in fund-raising, managing and
evaluating projects through the production of quality and well researched concept
papers, project proposals, as well as monitoring and evaluation reports.

AIMS OF THE COURSE.

1. To enable students to design, analyse, appraise projects, monitoring and evaluating


projects as social work intervention strategy.
2. To acquaint students with the theoretical, technical and other aspects of planning,
implementing and managing development projects and to contextualise these theories,
models and concepts to Social Work practice.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. To help the student to acquire basic skills in project design and proposal writing
2. To enable the student to develop analytical skills in project development and
management
3. To help the student to identify major factors associated with the development
project success or failure in resource poor contexts.
4. To consider the link between social work practice and project planning and
management.
TEACHING METHODS
• Lectures
• Seminars
• Videos
• Field visits
COURSE CONTENT

1. Introduction
This section introduces the practice of project planning and management. Development issues
in 3rd world countries are explored with special reference to their impact on project planning
and management especially in Zimbabwe. Pertinent aims of project planning and management
are examined.

a) The historical development of project planning and management.


b) Brief overview of 3rd World Development issues.
c) Definition of key terms such as project, planning, programming, project management,
portfolio management etc
d) Project Triple Constraint
2. Determinants of Project Planning and Implications for Management
This section discusses the ethical considerations in project planning and management and
factors influencing the implementation of programmes and projects in a developing country
context. Implications of the determinants of project planning are discussed in detail.

a) Values and ideologies


b) Availability of Resources
c) Politics, Cultural and Social Issues
d) Globalisation and International Issues
3. Project Management Process Groups
Students will be introduced to project management process groups and each process group
will be discussed in detail.

a) Initiating Process Group


b) Planning Process Group
c) Executing Process Group
d) Monitoring & Controlling Process Group
e) Closing Process Group
4. Project Management knowledge areas
a) Project integration management
b) Project Scope management
c) Project Time management
d) Project Human resources management
e) Project Risk management
f) Project Cost management
g) Project Communications management
h) Project Procurement management
i) Project Quality management
5. Project planning and management tools
This section aims at equipping students with the knowledge & skills of project designing,
implementation, monitoring & evaluation. The following tools will be examined;

a) Logical framework (LF)


b) Work break down structure (WBS)
c) Implementation timeline/ Ghant chart
d) Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT)
e) Stakeholder analysis
f) Risk analysis
g) Feasibility analysis
h) Political, Economic, Social and Technological (PEST analysis)
i) Strengths, Weaknesses Opportunities Threats (SWOT analysis)
j) Gender analysis
6. Innovation and industrialization
In line with implementing Education 5.0, this section focuses on equipping students with
innovative skills necessary to spearhead development in the country. Therefore, students will
be equipped with essential skills in project proposal writing.

a) Introduction
b) Project cycle and proposal content
c) Basic proposal formats
d) Concept paper
e) Full proposal
7. Monitoring and Evaluation (M & E)
Monitoring and evaluation are critical phases in the planning and execution of projects. As
such, this section discusses various facets of the monitoring and evaluation process, the
following aspects are under examination here:
a) Why evaluating
b) Types/forms of evaluation
c) The relationship between monitoring and evaluation
d) Ethical issues in conducting evaluations
e) Drafting terms of reference
f) Reporting on project outcomes

COURSE ASSESSMENT:

Students will be required to write THREE assignments. The first assignment is the project
proposal, the second assignment is a group assignment (presentation & write up) and the third
one is an in class that will be written under examination conditions. These three assignments
(project proposal, group assignment and in class test) will constitute 30% of the final course
assessment. The end of the semester examination will constitute the remaining 70% of the
final course assessment. Assignments should be written following the prescribed formats;
failure to follow the formats attracts heavy penalties. Assignments should be submitted on/or
before the due date.

Assignment 1: Project Proposal. A call for proposal will be sent to students using their class
email.

Assignment 2 : Presentations will be allocated to groups. After the presentations, students are
required to submit a write up.
Assignment 3: This assignment will be written under examination condition.
REFERENCES

Agarwal, R., & Sharma, P. (2023). Advanced project planning and management techniques
for modern teams. Springer.

Armstrong, M. (2008). A handbook of management and leadership: A guide to managing for


results. Kogan Page.

Archibald, R. D. (2003). Managing high technology programs and projects. Wiley and Sons.

Barker, S. (2007). Brilliant project management: What the best managers know, say, and do.
Pearson Education.

Bauer, A., & Matthews, L. (2022). Optimizing project management processes: A new
approach for 2022 and beyond. Wiley.

Bender, S. (1997). Managing project well: What they don’t teach you in project management
school. Butterworth-Heinemann.

Brown, K. B., & Hyer, H. L. (2010). Managing project: A team-based approach. Macmillan.

Burnes, B. (2009). Managing change. Prentice Hall.

Chavez, E. L., & Gupta, R. (2024). Project planning and execution in a digital world:
Strategies for success. Routledge.

Fitzroy, P. (2012). Strategic management: The challenge of creating value (2nd ed.).
Routledge.

Forsberg, K. H. (2000). Visualizing project management (2nd ed.). Wiley and Sons.
Miller, K. D., & Williams, G. (2023). Agile project management in the modern era: Case
studies and applications. McGraw-Hill Education.

Parker, T. S., & Moore, A. M. (2024). Project management in the age of disruption: A guide
for leaders. Palgrave Macmillan.

Roberts, M., & Cohen, S. J. (2022). Effective project planning and risk management: Best
practices and techniques. Elsevier.

Smith, D. J., & Lee, P. T. (2023). Collaborative project planning for cross-functional teams.
Pearson Education.

Common questions

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Ethical considerations in project planning and management shape processes by ensuring transparency, accountability, and fairness in decision-making. They influence how resources are allocated, stakeholders are engaged, and outcomes are reported. Ethical considerations demand project managers to prioritize inclusive participation, especially in resource-poor settings, and adhere to ethical standards in conducting evaluations and drafting project terms. They also influence the resolution of conflicts arising from cultural, social, or political issues within projects .

Understanding the project triple constraint, which consists of scope, time, and cost, is fundamental in project management as it helps in balancing competing project demands. Knowledge of how these elements interact allows project managers to make informed decisions regarding resource allocation and to adjust project plans in response to changes. It ensures that projects are completed on time, within budget, and meet the quality standards expected by stakeholders .

Project management tools such as the Logical Framework (LF), Work Breakdown Structure (WBS), and Program Evaluation Review Technique (PERT) are instrumental in the monitoring and evaluation phases. They provide structured frameworks for tracking progress against objectives, breaking down tasks into manageable parts, and evaluating timelines and resource allocation. These tools enhance the ability to identify deviations from planned outcomes early on, facilitating corrective actions to achieve desired results within the set timeframe and budget .

Effective project execution relies heavily on several key project management knowledge areas: Project Integration Management ensures all project processes are coordinated; Project Scope Management defines what is included in the project, helping prevent scope creep; Project Time Management ensures timely completion of project tasks; and Project Risk Management anticipates potential issues and devises strategies to address them. The alignment of these areas ensures efficiency and effectiveness in meeting project objectives .

Globalization influences project planning and management in developing countries by introducing both opportunities and challenges. It can lead to increased access to resources, technology, and international markets, which can enhance project outcomes. However, globalization may also bring about cultural shifts, increased competition, and vulnerability to global economic fluctuations, affecting local project management approaches. Understanding these implications is crucial for project managers in developing countries to align their projects with global standards while being mindful of local contexts .

Stakeholder analysis is crucial for project management initiatives as it helps identify all parties affected by the project, their interests, and potential influence on the project’s success. It allows project managers to tailor communication strategies, manage expectations, build alliances, and mitigate opposition. Understanding stakeholder dynamics ensures that the project addresses the needs and concerns of all involved, thereby enhancing stakeholder support and minimizing resistance, which is essential for the project's successful implementation and sustainability .

The Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University's course in project monitoring and evaluation equips students with skills in planning, managing, and evaluating projects. The curriculum emphasizes a pro-poor and participatory approach to service planning and delivery which aligns with the ethos of Social Work. The course aims to enable students to design, appraise, and evaluate projects effectively as social work intervention strategies. Furthermore, students are trained to develop analytical skills in project development, recognize factors influencing project success in resource-poor contexts, and integrate social work practices with project management principles .

Aligning project planning and management with social work practices involves challenges such as ensuring cultural competence, balancing project goals with social work values of advocacy and social justice, and managing stakeholder expectations in diverse contexts. The iterative nature of social work often clashes with the structured and linear approach of project management. Additionally, resource limitations in social work can restrict the scope of projects, and the need for participatory methods can conflict with standard project timelines and deliverables .

Education in monitoring and evaluation equips future project managers with the skills to systematically track project progress and assess outcomes against set objectives. This training enables them to identify areas requiring improvement and measure project impacts accurately. It fosters a culture of evidence-based decision-making, continuous improvement, and accountability in project management, ensuring that projects adapt and remain aligned with stakeholder needs and available resources throughout their lifecycle .

Innovative skills essential for project proposal writing include critical thinking for problem identification, creativity in designing solutions, and effective communication to articulate proposals compellingly. These skills enable proposal writers to showcase the potential impact of projects, align them with stakeholder expectations, and secure funding. Additionally, understanding and applying modern technologies and digital tools enhance data presentation and feasibility analysis, making proposals more competitive and aligned with contemporary development needs .

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