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Management and Leadership

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Basics

Design a practical M&E system that tracks whether a project is working, from indicators and data collection to analysis and clear reports for managers and funders.

Level
Beginner
Format
Written, self-paced
Length
About 6 hours
Lessons
15
Modules
4
Certificate
Yes, verifiable
Last updated
October 2026

About this course

Learn how to track whether a project is working: set indicators, collect and analyse data, and report results to managers and funders.

Self-paced written course: text lessons, practical exercises, module quizzes and a final project, delivered online. No video and no live tutor.

What you will learn

  • Distinguish monitoring from evaluation and explain how each supports project decisions
  • Build a results chain and theory of change that show how activities lead to outcomes
  • Write SMART indicators with clear definitions, baselines and realistic targets
  • Collect data with surveys, qualitative methods and mobile digital forms
  • Check data quality and analyse quantitative and qualitative data in Excel
  • Write progress reports, build simple dashboards and draft evaluation terms of reference

Curriculum

Module 1M&E Foundations4 lessons
  1. 1Monitoring Versus Evaluation4 min read Free preview
  2. 2Results Chains: Inputs, Outputs, Outcomes and Impact4 min read
  3. 3Theory of Change for M&E4 min read
  4. 4The M&E Plan and Who Uses It4 min read
  5. QuizModule quiz, 4 questions
Module 2Indicators and Data Collection4 lessons
  1. 5Writing SMART Indicators3 min read
  2. 6Baselines and Targets4 min read
  3. 7Data Collection Methods and Tools3 min read
  4. 8Mobile Data Collection with Digital Forms4 min read
  5. QuizModule quiz, 4 questions
Module 3Analysis and Data Quality4 lessons
  1. 9Data Quality Checks and Verification3 min read
  2. 10Basic Quantitative Analysis in Excel3 min read
  3. 11Analysing Qualitative Data3 min read
  4. 12Ethics, Consent and Data Protection in M&E4 min read
  5. QuizModule quiz, 4 questions
Module 4Reporting and Learning3 lessons
  1. 13Writing Progress Reports and Dashboards3 min read
  2. 14Evaluation Types and Terms of Reference4 min read
  3. 15Course Project: M&E Framework for a Real Project3 min read
  4. QuizModule quiz, 4 questions

Final project

M&E Framework for a Real Project. A practical brief with ordered steps, what to produce and how to check your own work. You confirm it in your learner area.

Who it is for

  • Project officers and coordinators in NGOs and community organisations
  • Government and county programme staff who report on results
  • CSR and foundation teams who fund or manage social projects

Not for you if you already work confidently with everything in the curriculum below. Look at the other management and leadership courses instead.

Requirements

  • Basic spreadsheet skills in Excel or Google Sheets
  • A computer for analysis and a smartphone for testing digital forms
  • No prior M&E experience is needed

What is included

  • 15 written lessons
  • 15 practical exercises
  • 4 module quizzes
  • A final project
  • Certificate of completion with a verification code
  • Lifetime access to what you buy

Questions about this course

What do I need before I start?

Basic spreadsheet skills in Excel or Google Sheets. A computer for analysis and a smartphone for testing digital forms. No prior M&E experience is needed.

What device do I need?

A phone, tablet or computer with a modern web browser and an internet connection. Lessons are written, so they work on slow connections.

How long do I have access?

Lifetime access to the full course or to any module you buy. All Access and Teams give 12 months of access to every course.

Can I get a refund?

Yes: a full refund within 14 days of purchase if you have completed less than 30% of the course (or of the module, for a single module). Read the refund policy.

Should I buy a module or the full course?

A module (USD 10) unlocks that module's lessons and quiz. The full course (USD 39) unlocks everything and leads to the certificate. If you buy modules first, each one you own is credited at USD 10 when you buy the full course.

Which currency will I pay in?

US dollars (USD). Prices include all taxes where applicable. Your bank may apply its own conversion fee. Card payment is being set up with our bank. After you place your order we email you payment instructions within one working day; your access starts as soon as payment is confirmed.

Management and Leadership learning path

All 18 open courses in this subject for USD 589. Bought separately they cost USD 992, so you save USD 403.

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