Monitoring and evaluation free essay sample

This essay seeks to explain monitoring and evaluation and why they are a crucial aspect in any project or plan. It highlights the reasons they have become so widely accepted, used and discussed in development planning. Monitoring and evaluation serves the purpose of bringing information to the forefront and making changes in the existing system of delivery and planning to ensure results only if important considerations are made. There are many aspects involved in the evaluation and monitoring of a project and none can be ignored if we are to ensure an effective and relevant evaluation.2 Definition of terms2.1 MonitoringIs a process of continuous and periodic surveillance of the physical implementation of a programme, through timely gathering of systematic information on work schedules, inputs, delivery, targeted outputs, and other variables of the programme, in order to have the desired effects and impact. 2.2 EvaluationIs defined as a process to determine (as systematically and objectively as possible) the extent to which programme needs and results have been or are being achieved, and analyze the reasons for any discrepancy. We will write a custom essay sample on Monitoring and evaluation or any similar topic specifically for you Do Not WasteYour Time HIRE WRITER Only 13.90 / page 3 IMPORTANCE OF MONITORING AND EVALUATION4 PURPOSES (AND USES) OF MONITORING AND EVALUATIONMonitoring and evaluation is used for a variety of purposes. The purpose for which it is used determines the particular orientation of each evaluation. ME may be used for the following main purposes:4.1 Management Decision-MakingME systems augment managerial processes and provide evidence for decision-making. The question that should be asked is whether the quality of the ME information provided is appropriate and how well it feeds into existing managerial processes. ME can never replace good management practices; rather it augments and complements management. Some examples of ME used in this context are decisions on resource allocation, choices between competing strategies to achieve the same objective, policy decisions, and decisions on programme design and implementation. The accuracy of information and the manner in which it is presented become critical for supporting management in their decision-making processes.4.2 Organizational learningThis is the most challenging outcome for ME, as it presupposes that ME results and findings help to create learning organisations. However, translating findings into learnings challenges even the most sophisticated of organisations. ME is also a research tool to explore what programme design, or solution to societal problems, will work best and why, and what programme design and operational processes will create the best value for money. ME should provide the analysis and evidence to do the trade-offs between various alternative strategies. The information gathered should be translated into analytical, action-oriented reports that facilitate effective decision-making4.3 . AccountabilityPublic officials have a constitutional obligation to account to Parliament. They should be broadly accountable for how they spend public money, how they have achieved the purposes for which the money has been voted and that they have gone about their duties with a high degree of integrity. ME provides the information, in a structured and formalised manner, which allows scrutiny of public service activities at all levels. This purpose of ME may account for the perception that ME is policing. Despite the concerns that many have that one should not pursue ME only for the purpose of accountability, as it may create suspicion and a culture of fear, when dealing with public funds accountability is critically important. Accountability is governed by the Constitution and legislation such as the Public Finance Management Act, is supported by institutions such as the Auditor-General and the Public Service Commission, and failure to adhere to meeting accountability requirements is often met by sanction.4.4 Promoting transparencyOne of the most persuasive uses for ME, if its findings are made available to a broader audience, is that it promotes transparency, and through this facilitates decision-making and accountability. ME requires a willingness to be subjected to scrutiny, as findings may be published and made available to the public

ants essays

ants essays Pests are living organisms that can threaten human existence. They can bring disease, famine, death and destruction to the human world. The United States loses up to forty percent of their production each year to pest, twenty percent of which is lost after harvest once stored. To control this mass destruction pesticides are created to kill pests and prevent their reproduction. The main groups of pesticides are named for the type of pest they are aimed at killing; insecticides are for insects, fungicides for fungi, and herbicides for weeds. The production of pesticides is a 300-million dollar business in the United States. The sad thing to say is that with all the production every meal you eat contains some evidence of pesticide residue. Most pesticides are poison and often contain ingredients the same as those found in nerve gas. Dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane, DDT, is an insecticide used to reduce the spread of malaria by killing mosquitoes. Paul Muller developed it in 1945. In 1948 he received the Nobel Prize in physiology and medicine. The chief of preventive medicine for the United States Army pronounced DDT as the Wars (World War 2) greatest contribution to the future health of the world, (Russell). In its fifty-five years of use it has been estimated to save over seven million lives through out the world. Pesticides are often times made to withstand rain so that they are not easily washed away; therefore they exist in the environment for long periods of time. Due to the long-term exposure DDT accumulates in insects, which make up the diet of other animals and then works its way through out the food chain. For example, the bald eagle became an endangered species, plunging toward extinction, largely because DDT thinned their eggshells to the point that the birds were unable to reproduce. Eagles picked up DDT when they ate fish, which were contaminated when the insecticide washed into water. A...

The Meaning and Origin of the Surname Rodriguez

The Meaning and Origin of the Surname Rodriguez The name Rodriguez is of Spanish origin. It patronymic in nature (taken from the paternal line) and means son of Rodrigo. The ez or es added to the root signifies descendant of. The given name Rodrigo is the Spanish form of Roderick, meaning famous power or powerful ruler, which comes from the Germanic elements hrod, meaning fame and ric, meaning power. Where Do People With the Rodriguez Surname Live? Overall, Rodriguez is the 60th most common surname in the world. According to WorldNames PublicProfiler, the Rodriguez surname is extremely popular in Spain. Its most commonly found in the region of Islas Canarias, followed by Galicia, Asturias,  Castilla y Leà ³n, and Extremadura. The name is also popular in Argentina and is distributed fairly evenly throughout the country. The genealogy site Forebears ranks Rodriguez as the number one surname in Cuba, the Dominican Republic, Costa Rica, Venezuela, Colombia, and Uraguay. It ranks second in Argentina, Puerto Rico, and Panama and third in Spain, Peru, and Honduras. Fast Facts About the Name Rodriguez Ninth Most Common Name in America: According to the 2000 census, Rodriguez ranked the ninth most common surname in the United States, likely the first time a non-Anglo name ranked among the top 10 (at #8 the Hispanic surname Garcia also cracked the top 10).Famous People Named Rodriguez: Luis Rodriguez, contemporary poet; Michelle Rodriguez, American actress; Alex Rodriguez, New York Yankees third basemanAlternate Surname Spellings:  Rodrigue, Rodriques, Roderick, Rodiger, Rhodriquez, Rhodriguez, Rodrigues (Portuguese) Genealogy Resources for the Surname Rodriguez Contrary to what you may have heard, theres no such thing as a Rodriguez family crest or coat of arms.  Coats of arms are granted to individuals- not families- and may rightfully be used only by the uninterrupted male-line descendants of the person to whom the coat of arms was originally granted.   To learn more about the origins of common Hispanic surnames and their meanings, a good place to start is with the information taken from the 2000 U.S. census about the 100 most common U.S. surnames and their meanings. The following is a list of other helpful resources for learning more about the Rodriguez surname: The Rodriguez DNA Project: This Y-DNA project is open to all males with the Rodriguez surname (or its variations) interested in working together to use DNA testing and traditional family history research to identify common Rodriguez ancestors.Rodriguez Family Genealogy Forum: Search this popular genealogy forum to find others who may also be researching your ancestors, or post your own Rodriguez query.FamilySearch- Rodriguez Genealogy: Access over 12 million free historical records and lineage-linked family trees posted for the Rodriguez surname and its variations on this free genealogy website hosted by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.Rodriquez Surname Family Mailing Lists: RootsWeb hosts several free mailing lists for researchers. You can also search or browse the list archives to view Rodriquez surname queries and posts going back for over a decade.DistantCousin.com- Rodriquez Genealogy Family History: Explore free databases and genealogy links for the last name Rodriguez. The Rodriguez Genealogy and Family Tree Page: Browse genealogy records and links to genealogical and historical records for individuals with the Rodriguez surname from the website of Genealogy Today. Sources Cottle, Basil. Penguin Dictionary of Surnames. Baltimore: Penguin Books, 1967.Menk, Lars. A Dictionary of German Jewish Surnames. Bergenfield, NJ: Avotaynu, 2005.Beider, Alexander. A Dictionary of Jewish Surnames from Galicia.  Bergenfield, NJ:  Avotaynu, 2004.Hanks, Patrick, and Flavia Hodges. A Dictionary of Surnames. New York: Oxford University Press, 1989.Hanks, Patrick. Dictionary of American Family Names. New York: Oxford University Press, 2003.Hoffman, William F. Polish Surnames: Origins and Meanings.  Chicago:  Polish Genealogical Society, 1993.Rymut, Kazimierz. Nazwiska Polakow.  Wroclaw: Zaklad Narodowy im. Ossolinskich - Wydawnictwo, 1991.Smith, Elsdon C. American Surnames. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing Company, 1997.

America's Rise as a World Power from 1865-1898 Essay

America's Rise as a World Power from 1865-1898 - Essay Example Additionally, America signed treaties for trade with nations like France, a sign that shows the increase in trade relations, which also increased economic growth. The economic expansion of America to other countries is also another factor that contributed to its rise as a world power. The idea of expansion of trade internationally was started by William Seward with the help of other individuals. This was an advantage to America because the expansion and colonization of other nation increased the accessibility of raw materials for industrial purposes. With the availability of raw materials, industries expanded so did the economy. Moreover, American products were sold outside the country, which was because of the expansion of industries due to the industrial revolution. With the availability of surplus products in the market, America expanded its businesses to other countries. Additionally, the country made investments in other countries, which ensured that raw materials were available for industrial use, for example, America invested in oil fields in Mexico. The investment and expansion of America’s business to other nations was an advan tage to them because of the availability of cheap labor. Efficient communications that were invented helped increase trade within different nations. With the increase in trade because of the production of many products, America raised its status to one of the powerful nations. Coalitions of America with other nation for military, trade and industrial benefit is another contributing factor to its rise as a world power. England and America come together as trading partners after solving their differences that had aroused from the enmity they had because of San Juan Islands. Relations with other big nations like German and Russia was improved by German agreements to give islands of dispute to the Americans. Russians is seen to have sold Alaska to America. With the expansion of America beyond the Pacific, its economic power increased which also lead to its rise as a super power. America growth as to power was also contributed by the expansion of its military. They considered the expansion of the military because of involvement in trade and investments in other nations. Additionally, they also had to consider expansion done by other countries on their military system and follow suit. With the support of the idea of military expansion by Alfred Mahan, who argued that military expansion could guarantee Americans safety of their businesses, America’s economy could also be increased by a growth of the military. With the idea of Alfred, America was to build a military system and navy inclusive of stations throughout the world. This would ensure them the takeover of the world as a superpower. Events that led to Spanish War of 1898 Before the Spanish war of 1898, Cubans were in the hands of Spanish colonists and they tried to free themselves from the colonists. With the idea of getting independence from the Spanish, they revolted against the Spanish using guerilla war tactics. The Cuban uprising against the Spanish failed, which prompted the Spanish to impound the lager Cuban population and put them in one location, a situation that lead to a humanitarian crisis. This is because the location that the Cubans were detained made them easily exposed to diseases and malnutrition. America saw these situations

HR Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 250 words

HR - Coursework Example Despite the interpersonal relationship associated with face-to-face teams, there is no much difference between virtual teams as long as the essential elements of an effective team are considered and integrated into the team (HCI, 2014). The information gained from the article is of great importance when discussing the effectiveness of teams in the project team. First, the fact that sharing the same physical space does not guarantee the effectiveness of the team is very helpful. Also, comprehending that brainstorming should be done after each has worked on his or her own before sharing their ideas. This situation will help in avoiding wastage of time when burdened with a problem to solve because team members come while prepared. In addition, by learning that teams need to have effective communication and clearly defined roles and responsibilities will help in discussing the saliency of having direction and being objective as a team. Finally, the insight gained on the effectiveness of virtual teams will help in integrating the interests of those who are not able to share the same physical space during group meetings. While some firms are reaping big from the benefits of teams, others are not living up to their potential. For instance, IBM has experienced international success due to the adoption of effective team techniques. Nevertheless, organizations, such as Wal-Mart, can greatly benefit from the information presented in this article, especially the significance of virtual teams and diversity in

Book Report On Of Mice And Men Essay -- essays research papers

Of Mice and Men In the beginning of the story, two men named George Milton and Lennie Small are trying to make their way to a small ranch in Salinas Valley, California. George is the leader of their two man tribe, despite Lennie’s intimidating size. George is filled with determination and confidence while Lennie is a simple man with a big heart. Up north, they had recently been run out of a town called Weed on account of Lennie. First of all, Lennie is not very smart, and becomes frightened and confused easily. Also, he enjoys petting animals and feelingthings that grab his attention. One night in Weed, Lennie and George had gone to a pool hall. Lennie saw a girl wearing a bright red dress. He grabbed on to the sleeve of her dress. The girl became scared and screamed; this frightened Lennie. He did not know what to do so he held on to the dress tighter. The next day, George found out that the girl went to the police and pressed charges against Lennie. The police were all over town looking for him. George and Lennie escaped by hiding in an irrigation ditch until nightfall and then leaving town. After that, they hitchhiked all the way to Salinas Valley, California where the story continues. The next day they arrived at their destination, the ranch where the would be working. That day, they met someone named Candy. He was an old man who had been working on the farm for many years. He also had an old dog. It was so stiff with rheumatism it could hardly walk. A few ...

Apple’s iphone – Not “made in America”

1) What is meant by globalization of human capital? Is this inevitable as firms increase their global operations? Globalization of human capital implies that people are moved out of their native country for employment in various fields. Since there are many companies around the globe and have branches in other countries, qualified people get an opportunity to move out and work. It is inevitable since globalization is established and the companies use the skills, labor, talent and knowledge as a part of globalization of human capital.2) How does this case illustrate the threats and opportunities facing global companies in developing their strategies? The main threat is when president Obama asked Steve job about reduction of job opportunities in United states and giving job in other countries, which made a feel of threat in their own country. And also many suicides at Foxconn lead a negative impression on Apple. The opportunities faced by them are high profit of $ 321 per i phone. It s hows the profit of a global company.3) Comment on Apple executives assertion that the company's only obligation is making the best product possible. â€Å"we do not have have any obligation o solve America's problems† I think it is really harsh to say these words. Everyone should have some obligation towards their country. But this is business and as an executive he is right he should always think about the growth and quality of the product. And should make maximum profit from low cost. So I think he is right.4) Who are the stakeholders in this situation and what, if any, obligations do they have? The main stakeholders are Apple company, Foxconn, and the government. All of these have obligations. Since Apple is a brand company and all expect best from them it is their obligation to be faithful and best quality provider to the consumers and also to the workers who work 24 hours for them. It is same for Foxconn too. They should be concern about the workers they should get the a dequate pay and rest. Also, government  should safe guard the people of each country from any type of pressure.5) How much extra are you prepared to pay for an iphone if assembled in the United states? I think I will not pay even a single penny extra to buy an iphone since they have a profit of $321 now itself. That is too much profit. I recommend they should decrease the rate of the phone. Some other product made in USA is not that expensive so the iphone should also be a little lower than now. After all, it is a phone although it has many application also it is not expensive enough to make it.6) How much extra are you prepared to pay for an iphone if assembled in China but under better conditions and pay? What kind of trade -off would you make? I have the same opinion as I said for United states. Better conditions and pay rights of workers and it does not mean the price should be increased since the already have a good profit. And it is the right thing to provide better conditio ns and better pay. We can also think about globalization of human capital to United states.7) To what extend do you think the negative media coverage has affected Apple's recent decision to ask the FLA to do an assessment and the subsequent decision by Foxconn to raise some salaries? What do you think will happen now?Since everyone knows about the case I think they will be more careful and take a favorable decision so as to protect the workers. It is sure that the negative media coverage has affected Apple's image very badly and so they asked for a FLA assessment. Foxconn on other hand was squeezing the workers to do more work with little pay and the suicide which occurred made made them into trouble and they increased the wages to save their face and I think they have to be very careful in future by providing good environment to work with a descent pay.