Monitoring, Operations Research and Evaluation for Adaptive Programmes (MORE-AP)

  Generative AI, the technology behind tools like ChatGPT and Midjourney, has taken the world by storm. Its swift and widespread adoption in workplaces, in particular, has been nothing short of remarkable. While many factors contribute to this phenomenon, a closer look suggests that the "Law of Least Resistance" or the "Principle of Least Effort" plays a significant role. This principle posits that individuals naturally gravitate towards actions requiring the least amount of effort to achieve a desired outcome. In the context of generative AI, The Principle of Least Effort in Action manifests in several ways: Increasing Efficiency by streamlining tasks, automating processes that were once time-consuming and labor-intensive. This efficiency frees employees to focus on higher-level, strategic work. Many generative AI tools are designed with user-friendly interfaces and require minimal training. Their ease of use makes them accessible to a wide range of employees, re

The international development field is undergoing a digital revolution, and Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) is no exception. Artificial intelligence (AI) is emerging as a game-changer, offering tools and solutions that streamline processes, improve data analysis, and ultimately enhance the impact of development projects. But what does this mean for you, as an M&E professional – or someone considering a career in this field? I am still in the process of discovering and learning which tool to use for what, since there are very many and no one tool can do all that is needed. i do not endorse the tools mentioned below, but i ecourage you to explore. Why AI for M&E? Traditional M&E practices often involve manual and time-consuming tasks such as data collection, analysis, and report generation. AI-powered tools can automate many of these tasks, allowing M&E professionals to focus on more strategic insights and decision-making. Additionally, AI can process vast amounts o

  In today's dynamic landscape, demonstrating organizational effectiveness is paramount for all entities, from non-profit agencies to multinational corporations. But what exactly is organizational effectiveness ?  It's more than just achieving goals.  Here's a deeper look: Understanding Organizational Effectiveness: Beyond Checkboxes Organizational effectiveness is the measure of how well an organization utilizes its resources to achieve its desired outcomes. It's a multidimensional  concept that encompasses these key areas: Goal Achievement :  The degree to which an organization successfully meets its stated goals and objectives. These objectives could span diverse areas including financial performance, stakeholder satisfaction, and social or environmental impact. Efficiency :  The ability of an organization to optimize its use of resources (financial, human, and technological) to maximize outputs and results. Adaptability and Resilience : The organization's capaci

  Use This Information The Way You Want In the labyrinthine world of service organizations and NGOs, there lies a dormant titan. This titan, often overshadowed by the immediacy of action, holds the power to revolutionize the very essence of an organization’s functioning. This titan is none other than the process of Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL) . Awakening the Titan The first step towards institutionalizing evidence uptake in service organizations and NGOs is to awaken this titan. It begins with a simple, yet profound realization - data is not just numbers, it’s a narrative . Every data point, every metric, every KPI, tells a story about the organization, its people, its processes, its impact, and its beneficiaries. It’s about understanding that these narratives are the lifeblood of effective service delivery and advocacy work. The Dance of Data Once awakened, the titan begins its dance. A dance that is as intricate as it is beautiful. This is where monito

Development organizations, in their pursuit of efficiency and impact, often fall into a trap of routinization. Processes become standardized, tasks are automated, and decisions are made based on predefined rules. While this approach offers benefits, it can also lead to a dangerous state of ethical blindness , where organizations become desensitized to potential ethical risks and fail to recognize the harmful consequences of their actions. As you are aware, context changes all the time, therefore operating on autopilot and relying on predefined rules, may make staff, including managers not adapt quickly to change in context.  This is where the crucial role of evaluation emerges. By providing a systematic and objective lens through which to examine processes and practices, evaluation can act as a powerful antidote to the dangers of routinization and ethical blindness. The learning role of evaluations is aimed at addressing exactly this.  The Perils of Routinization: Routinization, while