On June 02, 2022, CERP Analytics organised a Human-Centred Design Workshop with monitoring, evaluation, IT, and coordination officials of the Planning Commission (PC). The workshop was a part of Analytics’ need assessment effort. The specific aim of the workshop was to deepen our understanding of M&E processes at the PC; understand the strengths and weaknesses of the current processes; understand weaknesses, loopholes, and challenges of the same; and, try and identify points of intervention whereupon Analytics, and other CERP teams at large can help the PC.
The workshop was divided into four sessions which included:
Understanding the current M&E process
In this session, CERP Analytics presented its understanding of public sector project lifecycles, with special attention to Monitoring and Evaluation processes. The Planning Commission staff was asked to help deepen Analytics’ understanding of the same by pinpointing loopholes, additional procedural actions, providing feedback and views from the field, among other considerations.
Start Doing, Continue Doing & Stop Doing
In this session, CERP Analytics asked PC attendees to categorise what was stipulated in policy, law or regulation, as activities in three categories: Start doing, Continue Doing and Stop Doing.
Around a Light-Bulb – Identifying challenges & ways to address them
In this session, CERP Analytics asked PC attendees to share what major challenges and gaps PC faces with the current M&E processes; how may these challenges be overcome; and, what would an ideal system look like/include within it.
Designing an ‘Aspirational’ M&E System
Finally, in this session CERP Analytics asked PC to map out an “aspirational M&E system”, putting no limits on what was possible, and present it to peer attendees and Analytics staff. Participants had access to canvasses, chart papers, sticky notes, stickers, markers, and an assortment of other paraphernalia, to brainstorm and prepare presentations. Participants were eventually split into two competing groups to work together and present as a team. Ultimately, each team had 30 minutes to present, field questions, and discuss ideas.
End Results and Way Forward
These findings of the workshop were meticulously analysed and then converted into text by CERP Analytics team. This resulted in 12 pages of content, replete with insights, ideas and discoveries. In addition, CERP Analytics team produced a summarized, four-page version with key insights and findings.
Going forward, CERP Analytics will be preparing a comprehensive report for submission to the Planning Commission as well as to the donor. As part of this report preparation process, Analytics will also be creating a roadmap on the design and implementation of specific interventions to help improve M&E processes at the Commission