Results-Based Project Management: Monitoring and Evaluation

The course was very useful. I has an opportunity to broaden my understanding on Monitoring and Evaluation Concepts in the first place and juxtaposing the same to see how they relate and complement. On the other hand, I have significantly learnt on the underpinning differences between traditional M&E and Results Based Monitoring and their importance to government, progarmmes and project performance. On the other hand, I learnt on how to develop SMART performance indicators, how to set baseline and targets for the set performance indicators. I also appreciated a methodical approach on how to prepare the SMART performance indicators. The course is coupled with a number of references, I liked most the Work Bank Reference i.e. Ten Steps to Results Based Framework. The same use simple language with a lot of examples and text boxes which make it very easy to refer.
The fact that someone can download the videos and key reference materials is another plus to this course, this is very much instrumental to my future reference.
However, I could not afford to pay for the certificate. I strongly feel that, the cost of the certificate is relatively high by considering the fact that the course is labelled as a Basic/Foundation one.

This is a good course for a beginner to learn everything you need to know about Results-Based Management. Why it's important for citizens as much as for Governments. It gives a good overview on how to build a results framework, based on a real case study. This case study is further explored as we move from one lesson to the next, selecting performance indicators, with practical examples to track performance and assess if the change we want to see has taken place, and make sure our project is on track. We get to practice exercises which provide a good training to what we have learned, including deciding on what the assumptions and risks would likely be, and attributing causality. I really liked the interviews at the end of the course, as they link between what we learn in theory and what is practiced. The choice of interviewees is really good, but sometimes I would have to download the script because it was a little difficult to understand the pronunciation.
Overall, I really liked the course. I have learned a lot from the trainer, who is very good, and the fact that the course is self paced is an extra star. My only concern was that I was in audit mode, and couldn't get any proof of completion of the course, which I can add to my CV.
Anyway, thank you edX. I look forward to other good courses like this one.

The Results-Based Project Management: Monitoring and Evaluation course by the University of the Witwatersrand on edX provides a foundational understanding of project planning, monitoring, and evaluation using a results-oriented approach. The course content is structured and easy to follow, with practical examples and downloadable resources. It introduces key concepts such as logical frameworks and indicators, making it suitable for beginners or professionals seeking a refresher. While the course offers theoretical clarity, some users may find the interactive elements and real-world case studies limited. The pace is manageable, and the platform is user-friendly. Overall, it is a solid introductory course that meets its stated objectives effectively.

This is one of the few MOOCs that I found to be very engaging. Delivering online courses using videos means that course designers and lecturers need to be creative. This course was well-designed and the delivery was equally great. The lecturer was NOT monotonous and the video content had great graphics that explained different concepts. Also, each topic had many examples and one case study was used throughout the course where each concept was applied towards the case study to provide context within a real-life project.

The assessments were very effective in measuring progress throughout the course. I also appreciated the discussion forums and learning from the experiences of my peers. The course content was not overwhelming. I was away for 10 days during the course and I was able to catch up and complete the course on time without any issues.

The course was very useful. It was an opportunity to broaden my understanding on Monitoring and Evaluation Concepts in the first place and again to see how they relate and complement. I have significantly learnt on the underpinning differences between traditional M&E and results based monitoring and their importance to government, progarmmes and project performance.

I also understood how to develop SMART performance indicators, how to set baseline and targets for the set performance indicators. I appreciated the methodical approach on how to prepare the SMART performance indicators, and loved the use of simple language with a lot of examples and text boxes which make it very easy to refer.

The most fascinating part is that one can download the videos and key reference materials. i totally enjoyed participating in this course.

I did this course having already completed the MITx Micromasters in Data, Economics and Development Policy, which also covers theories of change and logical frameworks in the "Designing and Running Randomized Evaluations (DRRE)" unit. Although logical frameworks and theories of change are discussed extensively in the DRRE unit, application was not extensively tested.

I found the two University of Witwatersrand courses (this one, and "Theory of Change for Development") engaging, well-explained and somewhat more 'step-by-step' in its approach towards logical frameworks and theories of change compared to the MITx DRRE course (which covers and examines many, many more topic areas such as creating and managing surveys, health and empowerment indicators etc. etc..).

I found this course very practical, and took me to the 'next step' in both using, and teaching about!, theories of change and logical frameworks.

The course was very useful. It was an opportunity to broaden my understanding on Monitoring and Evaluation Concepts in the first place and again to see how they relate and complement. I have significantly learnt on the underpinning differences between traditional M&E and results based monitoring and their importance to government, progarmmes and project performance.

I also understood how to develop SMART performance indicators, how to set baseline and targets for the set performance indicators. I appreciated the methodical approach on how to prepare the SMART performance indicators, and loved the use of simple language with a lot of examples and text boxes which make it very easy to refer.

The most fascinating part is that one can download the videos and key reference materials. i totally enjoyed participating in this course.

It was an eye opening course which is of great help to me as a researcher and health practitioner. It helped me understand the concept of balancing goals, targets, baselines and results, thus improving efficiency and effectiveness in rendering services.
Videos and examples made it easier to understand all concepts presented.
Having done the course at a self paced time frame really helped me balance my time amongst all other responsibilities and also enabled me to budget for internet data connection without a strain on my finances. It's not easy doing an online program when based in Zimbabwe due to a lot of barriers and challenges.
Am really grateful to the team that plan and coordinate this program.. Am appreciative of earning myself this certification.