ASSESSING PROJECT MONITORING AND EVALUATION PRACTICE: THE CASE OF BERHAN BANK S.C’S E-BANKING PROJECTS

Abstract

This research had the general objective of assessing to assess the monitoring and evaluation practice of E-Banking projects in Berhan Bank S.C. To achieve this objective the research used a descriptive research design which used both primary and secondary data collection method. For the primary data the research used questionnaire and for the secondary the research employed document reviews. The research employed census sampling technique and selected all 44 employees at Berhan bank S.C E-Banking projects department, the primary data gathered through the questionnaire was analyzed using the statistical package for social science (SPSS) and the results were presented using tables, frequencies and percentages and charts. The research found that the monitoring and evaluation practices of the organization have much ineffectiveness, while it has a good monitoring and evaluation plan which incorporates M&E plan explicitly identified data collection frequency followed by aggregated monitoring results and projects monitored at the inception, it lacks to plan for dissemination of result and Roles and the responsibility of staff in M&E plan is not stated clearly. The top four most widely used evaluation techniques by Berhan bank are: - beneficiary feedback, risk analysis, logical frameworks, and baseline studies. Impact assessment and accountability to the government drives the motivation for monitoring projects. The study also concludes that it will take about 6 months to 1 year for the findings of the M&E to translate into improving the projects. Video, Audio and mobile, and other system review tools, observation, and document review are the top three techniques used to collect, manage, and analyze data. Less staff participation, less stakeholder engagement, and lack of M&E experts are the main challenges facing the proper implementation of M&E indicating lack of staff participation and technical M&E expertise in Berhan Bank E-banking projects. Finally, the study recommended inclusiveness and saturated participation of all the vital stakeholders in the monitoring activity and to provide trainings for the staff and build capacity and expertise and mainly establish its own standardized monitoring and evaluation frameworks and system. It would greatly benefit the literature and academic-purpose if future research assesses the long term impact of the intervention with emphasis on the monitoring and evaluation practice.