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Tools A Guide to Tool Selection

Tool Selector

What tools should you use to collect monitoring data for your project? It all depends. Unfortunately there is no magical rule or formula to follow, however once we know what data we need to collect to answer our evaluation questions, some logical choices present themselves.

When should I select the monitoring tools for my project? Selecting the tools for your project should come naturally when creating your monitoring and evaluation (M&E) plan. When you create your M&E plan you will be forced to think ‘what tool or method will I use to collect the data I need to answer my evaluation question’.

The matrix below lists some common monitoring tools that you can integrate into your M&E plan.  If you have an activity in mind and want to know what tool you could use to monitor the activity, then try our Tools for Common Tasks table.

You can also get an idea of the most appropriate tool by referring to where you are on the project manegement cycle.

List of monitoring and evaluation tools


Type of Data Collected Helps you measure
Tools Quantitative Qualitative Efficiency Effectiveness Outcomes
Audits or Counts


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Budget Tracking
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Dartboard

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Deemed Savings


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Focus Group

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Footprint Calculators


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Lessons Learnt Workshop

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Literature Review



LogFrame Matrix

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Meter Reading


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Metering


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Observation



Outcome Hierarchy



Problem Tree / Solution Tree Analysis



Program Logic

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Project Diary

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Questionnaire
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Semi-structured Interview

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Stakeholder Analysis



Storytelling

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Time Tracking
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Tools for Common Tasks

We know selecting the right tool can sometimes be confusing, so we've provided you with some recommended tools to monitor and evaluate some common tasks

Common project tasks & activities Suggested tools
Workshop, conference, intervention or public event
Measuring changes in resource use
Effectiveness of communications materials
Measuring project efficiency
Documenting lesson’s learned post-project
Communicate outcomes
 
Donate Now

Please make a donation to upgrade the Evaluation Toolbox.

The Evaluation Toolbox is maintained by Damien Sweeney and Martin Pritchard from PREA as their in-kind contribution back to the community. The Toolbox now needs several weeks of work to review and upgrade all the contents and add new content for you. Work has begun and we are seeking your donation (big or small) to help support this major upgrade. Email us to indicate what you want to be included in the Toolbox.

case study

What is the Toolbox?

The toolbox aims to provide a one-stop-site for the evaluation of community sustainability engagement projects that aim to change household behaviours. Through the toolbox you can learn how to conduct your own evaluation of a behaviour change project using the guides and templates provided.

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Why Evaluate?

Conducting an evaluation is considered good practice in managing a project.

The monitoring phase of project evaluation allows us to track progress and identify issues early during implementation, thus providing and opportunity to take corrective action or make proactive improvements as required.

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