Key Concepts
Causal Pathway- the logic and plan for your program. It allows you to lay out the program plan and see how each component logically relates to the previous piece.
- "CAUSAL" because it is based on the premise that the activities your program carries out should logically cause desirable results to occur; and
- “PATHWAY” because it is based on the idea that the causal links form a technically and programmatically sound logical progression.
Evaluation - a systematic assessment - conducted at certain points in time during the life of your program - of the impact of your program. Ideally, evaluation data should be collected at the start of your program (often referred to as a baseline) and, at a minimum, at the end (sometimes called an endline). When resources are available and the program timeframe is sufficient, evaluation data may also be collected at a mid-point (known as a midline), and also at some point after the end of the program.
Logical Framework Approach - a logical framework is a visual representation of the logic of your program and how will you measure its impact.
Monitoring - the process that takes place throughout the life of the program of routinely tracking implementation.
M&E - Monitoring and Evaluation
Planning - your intentions and the thinking behind why you are doing what you are doing. The process of creating a common understanding and language for your work. Specifying what impacts you hope to have and how you will measure them.
Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation Principles –principles that will make your monitoring and evaluation more meaningful and useful to the program and the agency you work in. They are particularly well-suited for programs that have a rights-based social justice perspective.
