MERL Tech DC 2018

Developing and implementing monitoring and evaluation strategies, particularly on massive multi-year projects, is a long journey. Teams develop various tech tools for data collection, analysis, and visualization, often managed with traditional project management tools like Gantt charts and PMPs. Agile techniques offer an alternate framework for managing development projects. In this session, we’ll unpack how the principles and practices of agile software development can be adapted and used by monitoring and evaluation professionals working within project implementation teams. These principles, from the Agile Manifesto (agilemanifesto.org) include valuing: - Individuals and interactions over processes and tools - Working software over comprehensive documentation - Customer (user) collaboration over contract negotiations - Responding to changeover following a plan Some of these principles may seem, on the surface, to be at odds with traditional M&E, but they are flexible and adaptive. They align to emerging approaches like using theories of change, iterative design and implementation, and complex systems theory. We’ll use a case example of developing a monitoring and evaluation dashboard with an agile framework to provide a tangible example of how these principles can be successfully applied. Facilitators will include a trio of diverse experiences: Trent Hone (Agile Coach), Amanda Makulec (data visualization designer & former M&E specialist), and Gina Assaf (Digital Design Team Lead). Participants will leave with a basic understanding of agile principles and select practices, equipping them to seek opportunities to use agile in their own workflows or collaborate effectively with software development partners who use this approach to managing development projects. often use traditional project management tools and approaches to develop workplans and manage progress, which can be linear and limiting.