1.
DISCUSS PROJECT MONITORING AND SUPERVISION
Monitoring can be defined as the ongoing process by which stakeholders obtain regular feedback
on the progress being made towards achieving their goals and objective (Levine Harvey 2002:
40). Monitoring is to access the progress, supervision is to conceive, the actual work on regular
basis. Project monitoring is carried out during the implementation stage of the project cycle. It is
the surveillance done by project management team at every stage or level.
Supervision involves inspection, audit review and research. The main part about supervision is
checking if the project is going as planned that is if results achieved according to plan and also
budget spent as planned.
To check in the progress of the [Link] is done by ensuring that input material deliveries, work
schedules, target output. Or other activity of the project are proceeding according to plan. In
simple terms project monitoring involves keeping track of events in relation to work place and
targets. The underlying aim is to achieve efficiency in project implementation.
It provides feedback to the project management. Project monitoring enables management to
improve cooperation plans and to take timely collective action in case of shortfalls or constraints.
Monitoring is part of management info system and an internal activity through monitoring
management gets information for them to make a decision.
Project monitoring involves periodic reports, regular projects management and staff meetings.
This is usually done with observations and field visits or inspections. Outsiders such as donors
and stakeholders form an external monitoring team. Their interests is to see the execution of the
project. In the implementation cycle project monitoring is very beneficial.
2. Compare and Contrast Project, Programme and Plan.
A plan is document that outlines how goals are to be accomplished. A plan describes how
resources are to be allocated and it also establishes activity schedules. A plan is a method for
doing or making something consisting of atleast one goal and pre-defined course of action for
achieving that. Plan involves outlining the activities, tasks, dependencies and timeframes
A project is part of a programme in which a plan covers it all. A plan enables one to know what
should be done. Without proper planning, projects or programmes may be implemented at the
wrong time or in the wrong manner and in result poor outcomes.
The Programme is the overall plan within a policy framework. The Programme sets the overall
outcome and budget limits, defines the geographical, social and economic parameters within
which the programme operates, and will be established for a number of years (Sally Hunt,
2006:6). A Programme may comprise a geographical area, a particular group of people, a number
of sectors and themes, a total fund allocation and a time period.
A Project is a set of activities designed to achieve a stated objective, based on an identified
problem within the parameters of the Programme. A Project links the policy initiative of the
Programme at the higher level with the unique problems faced by a particular group at grass
roots level.
A plan describes how resources are to be allocated and it also establishes activity schedules
while project is any single activity that involves expenditure and yields returns and about which
decisions are made. A programme is a set of projects, processes, services, activities that are
oriented towards the attainment of specific objectives.
A plan creates the framework within which operational decisions and actions are taken to meet
the objectives of the Programme. The projects are the method for solving specific problems and
managing specific initiatives that contribute to the Programme. The contribution towards strategy
from each project is strengthened once all projects are aligned with the programme strategies.
All projects and programmes are undertaken and organized to achieve specific objectives. A
project is strictly time bound as such it must be implemented within a stipulated given time.
Programmes on the other hand are normally ongoing activities and are not strict with time. A
plan systematic way of attaining a set of broad objectives with given resources. What a plan does
is that you establish objectives in order to address problems. You take into account resources
basing on past, present and in rear cases future situation. A plan establishes ways of achieving a
project objective works on resources available.
A project is a temporary entity established to deliver specific (often tangible) outputs in line with
predefined time, cost and quality constraints. A project should always be defined and executed
and evaluated relative to an (executive) approved business case which balances the costs,
benefits and risks of the project. The project business case should be managed under change
control.
A programme is a portfolio comprised of multiple projects that are managed and coordinated as
one unit with the objective of achieving (often intangible) outcomes and benefits for the
organization.
They do not involve repetitive processes. Every project undertaken is different from the last,
whereas operational activities often involve undertaking repetitive (identical) processes.
REFERENCE
Levine Harvey (2002) Practical Project Management: tips, tactics, and tools. John Wiley & Sons
New York
Sally Hunt (2006) Project Cycle Management Toolkit. Local Livelihoods Ltd.
St Oswalds Barn, Herefordshire, HR3 5HB, England
