Write M&E Reports

PP3-10A

Session Goals Will learn about:

Reporting & why it is important The different types of reports & communication tools that are usually produced by organizations Formats for quarterly & final project reports Developing a reporting programme & schedule.

Reporting to Your Internal & External Audiences

There is not much point to collecting & monitoring evaluation data unless you know how & by whom that data will be used. Your challenge is to turn raw data information into useful knowledge & then report your results to the different programme audiences (e.g., donors, board members) in a way that will be useful both to them & your organization.

What is Reporting?

A report is a compilation of descriptive information. A report is a communication tool to present M&E results by presenting raw data & information as knowledge. A report is an opportunity for project implementers to inform themselves & others (stakeholders, partners, donors, etc.) on the progress, problems, difficulties encountered, successes & lessons learned during implementation of programs & activities.

Why is Reporting Essential?

Reporting enables the assessment of progress & achievements & helps focus audiences on the results of activities, enabling the improvement of subsequent work plans. Reporting helps form the basis for decisionmaking & learning at the programme level. Reporting communicates how effectively & efficiently an NGO is meeting its objectives.

Elements of a Good Report

Assesses performance over the past reporting period, using established indicators, schedules, baselines & targets States explicitly whether & how much progress or results surpassed, met, or fell short of expectations & why

 Elements of a Good Report

Specifies actions to overcome problems & accelerate performance, where necessary Explains the influence of comparative performance by objectives on the resource request Addresses issues related to PLHWAs, including the issues of specific gender & other vulnerable groups, in the analysis of program performance

 Elements of a Good Report

Identifies the need to adjust resource allocations, indicators, or targets, where necessary Discusses the way forward & the prospects for successful programme closeout or graduation & addresses aspects of sustainability of results

Specific types of communication tools include:

Specific types of communication tools include:

Types of Communication Tools Often Required by Donors

Generic Outline for Quarterly Progress Reports

Quarterly progress reports are the most common & most important format an organization has for conveying information about a project to its donor. Progress reports should focus on presenting in a concise format the advances (or lack thereof) made on a project during a specific quarter. Quarterly reports are often laid out in the following manner:

I. INTRODUCTION
Brief one to two paragraph introduction:

Concise presentation of the objectives of the project, The need for this report and What the report includes).

II. COMPARISON OF PLANNED VERSUS ACTUAL EVENTS:

Brief narrative comparing planned activities & budget to actual activities undertaken & budget spent during the quarter. The basis of this narrative is what you had planned & how you are responding (tells the donor why something that was planned did not take place & what you plan to do about it); and/or the facilitating factors that helped you achieve activities faster than expected (tells the donor if you are ahead of schedule & why).

III. ADMINISTRATIVE REVIEW:

Discuss the status of your administration of the programme. During the reporting period, were there any changes in staffing, organizational development issues (new systems, failing systems, etc.), managerial issues, or results on special awards conditions (if applicable)?

IV. FINANCIAL REVIEW/EXPENDITURE REPORT/COST SHARE REPORT:

Provide a brief management review of the organizations financial status (compare what the organization planned to spend to what the organization actually spent). Do you need a budget realignment? Will rescheduling of activities affect the budget? How are the cost-share components functioning? Are these on track with expectations? Explain any very low or very high expenditure rates.

V. INDICATOR DATA & MER DATABASES:

Discuss your progress in collecting & storing project indicator data. When you have new data, report the baseline figures & provide a brief analysis of the new information. Provide updated protocols if changes occurred.

VI. NOTABLE LESSONS, INNOVATIONS, OR QUOTES:

capture any lessons learned during the recording period, interesting anecdotes suggesting programme impacts, or small success stories.

VII. ISSUES REQUIRING IMMEDIATE SUPPORT/ATTENTION BY THE DONOR:

In bullet form note any issues requiring the immediate assistance or attention of donor personnel in support of your project. (This is a concise list of items that may be mentioned otherwise in the report.)

Example
Project

budget re-alignment is requested to account for change in workshops venue.

ANNEXES

ANNEX 1. BENCHMARK CALENDAR: An updated Benchmark Calendar. This should be reworked each quarter to reflect your progress or lack thereof during the recording period. ANNEX 2. STATUS OF DELIVERABLES: An updated Deliverables Schedule. This should be reworked each quarter to reflect your progress or lack thereof during the recording period.