Evaluation vs Monitoring
Evaluation and Monitoring are two words that are often used in projects, organizational documentation, studies between which certain differences can be identified. Evaluation refers to an assessment at the end of a project or document. Monitoring is a form of observation that takes place while the documentation or project is in progress. The significant difference between an evaluation and monitoring is that while the evaluation is usually scheduled at the end of the task, the monitoring takes place while the task is being completed. Through this article let us examine the concepts of evaluation and monitoring in order to identify the differences as well as to gain a broader understanding of the function if each term.
What is Evaluation?
Evaluation refers to an assessment at the end of a project. This is a tool that assists to identify problems in planning. Since the evaluation takes place at the end of the project, it is easy to identify the negatives and positives and use the information for future projects. Evaluation helps in finding out whether the organization is working better and efficiently. Imagine in an organization that carries out a number of projects, after the completion of a first pilot study, the researchers can engage in an evaluation to assess the overall success rate of the project. Depending on the results, the researchers can redesign the proposals for the other projects so that the benefit is high, and the cost is low. Evaluation also helps in providing information to the organization about the changes that can be incorporated into the conduct of the project or related matters. Evaluation forms the vision of an organization. In other words, any organization for that matter develops further based on the evaluation of the project done with precision. Evaluation takes a shape based upon the information provided by the process of monitoring. Any project is bound to succeed if monitoring and evaluation are carried out with precision.
What is Monitoring?
Monitoring is a form of observation that takes place while the documentation or project is in progress. Through monitoring, you can review progress. Monitoring is more of a requirement unlike in the case of an Evaluation. As a matter of fact, both monitoring and evaluation are aimed at the progress of an organization or project as it allows the related parties to get an in-depth understanding of the flaws in the project. Monitoring helps in identifying whether the plans are carried out effectively. It also helps in strengthening the plans and strategies pertaining to a project of an organization. Monitoring becomes the framework of the project. In other words, monitoring has to be all through the project. Once monitoring goes wrong, then the project does not procure the desired results in the form of growth of the organization. It can also be said that monitoring leads to evaluation. In other words, monitoring makes evaluation possible. Evaluation takes a shape based upon the information provided by the process of monitoring. There are necessarily various strategies and plans involved in the process of monitoring. Any project is bound to succeed if monitoring and evaluation are carried out with precision. This highlights the difference between Evaluation and Monitoring. Now let us summarize the difference in the following manner.
What is the Difference Between Evaluation and Monitoring?
- Through monitoring, you can review progress whereas through evaluation you can identify problems in planning.
- Monitoring is more of a requirement. On the other hand, evaluation is more of a tool.
- Evaluation helps in finding out whether the organization is working better and efficiently wheras monitoring helps in identifying whether the plans are carried out effectively.
- Evaluation forms the vision of an organization whereas monitoring becomes the framework of the project.
- It can also be said that monitoring leads to evaluation.
Image Courtesy:
1. Programme Evaluation Design Workshop By 80686 [CC BY 3.0], via Wikimedia Commons
2. Monitoring a simulated test at Central Control Facility at Eglin Air Force Base (080416-F-5297K-101) by U.S. Air Force photo/Capt. Carrie Kessler [Public domain], via Wikimedia Commons
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