Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation with MS Projects Course

Introduction

Effective project management is essential for delivering results on time, within budget, and aligned with organizational goals. In an increasingly complex and performance-driven environment, professionals must integrate project management with monitoring and evaluation (M&E) practices to ensure accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement. The Project Management, Monitoring and Evaluation with MS Projects Course provides a comprehensive approach to managing the entire project lifecycle while leveraging the power of MS Project software for planning, tracking, and reporting.

This course equips participants with practical skills in project design, implementation, and control, alongside robust M&E frameworks such as logical frameworks, performance indicators, and results-based management. Participants will learn how to align project activities with measurable outcomes, develop M&E plans, and generate insights through effective data collection, analysis, and reporting. The training also emphasizes the integration of M&E into every stage of the project lifecycle to enhance learning and adaptive management.

A key feature of this course is the hands-on training with Microsoft Project, a leading project management tool used for scheduling, resource allocation, budget tracking, and real-time performance monitoring. Participants will gain confidence in using MS Project to develop project schedules, manage dependencies, allocate resources, track progress, and produce meaningful reports that inform decision-making.

Designed for project managers, M&E officers, program coordinators, development practitioners, and technical staff, this course blends theoretical foundations with practical tools for real-world application. By the end of the training, participants will be able to design and manage projects more efficiently, measure impact more accurately, and communicate results more effectively using modern project management and evaluation techniques supported by digital tools.

Duration

10 days

Who should Attend?

This course is ideal for:

·       Project Managers and Coordinators responsible for overseeing project activities, timelines, and deliverables

·       Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officers who need to integrate M&E frameworks into project implementation and reporting

·       Program Managers and Team Leaders managing multi-component or donor-funded programs requiring accountability and performance tracking

·       Development Practitioners and NGO Staff involved in community-based or international development projects that require strong planning and evaluation

·       Government Officers and Policy Planners working on public projects and programs requiring detailed tracking, reporting, and compliance

·       Technical Experts and Engineers seeking structured tools to manage tasks, resources, and results effectively

·       Data Analysts and Results-Based Management Specialists working to improve performance measurement and evidence-based reporting

·       Researchers interested in applying project management and M&E principles using industry-standard software tools

·       Anyone managing or contributing to projects who wants to enhance their ability to plan, execute, monitor, and evaluate using Microsoft Project

Course Objectives

By the end of this course the learners should be able to:

·       Understand the fundamentals of project management including the project lifecycle, key roles, principles, and best practices aligned with global standards.

·       Develop comprehensive project plans by defining scope, objectives, deliverables, timelines, and resource needs using structured planning techniques.

·       Design and implement Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) systems to track performance, measure outcomes, and enhance project accountability.

·       Create logical frameworks (logframes) and M&E plans that align project activities with measurable indicators and intended results.

·       Use Microsoft Project software effectively for project scheduling, task management, resource allocation, budget tracking, and progress reporting.

·       Apply Results-Based Management (RBM) approaches to improve decision-making, reporting, and learning across the project lifecycle.

·       Monitor and control project performance using tools such as Gantt charts, critical path analysis, earned value analysis, and performance dashboards.

·       Collect, analyze, and interpret M&E data to assess progress and support adaptive project management and continuous improvement.

·       Generate professional reports and dashboards to communicate progress, challenges, and impact to stakeholders.

·       Integrate project management and M&E practices for more effective planning, implementation, and evaluation of development and organizational projects.

Course Outline

Module 1: Foundations of Project Management

• Introduction to project management principles and terminology
• Project management frameworks (PMBOK, PRINCE2, Agile)
• Understanding project phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, M&E, Closure
• Key roles and responsibilities in project teams
• Triple constraints: Scope, Time, Cost

Module 2: Project Planning and Design

• Setting SMART project objectives and performance indicators
• Project cycle management and strategic alignment
• Developing a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Identifying activities, deliverables, and milestones
• Introduction to Theory of Change and Logical Framework Approach (LFA)

Module 3: Monitoring and Evaluation Concepts

• Purpose and principles of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E)
• M&E within the project management lifecycle
• Results-Based Management (RBM) approach
• Participatory M&E and stakeholder engagement
• Selecting indicators: inputs, outputs, outcomes, and impacts

Module 4: M&E Planning and Methodologies

• Developing an M&E Plan (what, when, how, and who)
• Data collection tools and techniques (quantitative and qualitative)
• Setting baselines, targets, and benchmarks
• Data quality, ethics, and validation
• Adaptive M&E and real-time learning

Module 5: Evaluation, Learning and Reporting

• Types of evaluations: baseline, mid-term, final, and impact
• Evaluation design: formative vs summative
• Analysis of M&E data and deriving lessons learned
• Communicating M&E findings to stakeholders
• Designing effective M&E reports and dashboards

Module 6: Project Human Resource and Risk Management

• Organizing and managing project teams
• Roles, responsibilities, and communication structures
• Conflict management and team motivation
• Identifying, analyzing, and mitigating project risks
• Risk monitoring and contingency planning

Module 7: Introduction to Microsoft Project

• Overview of Microsoft Project interface and navigation
• Start screen, workspace layout, ribbon, and backstage view
• Configuring schedule and calendar settings
• Creating and saving new project files

Module 8: Developing the Project Plan in MS Project

• Creating a Work Breakdown Structure (WBS)
• Setting up tasks and subtasks
• Creating milestones and task dependencies
• Estimating durations and defining the Critical Path
• Assigning resources and managing availability
• Inputting project costs and developing the cost baseline

Module 9: Project Execution and Tracking with MS Project

• Finalizing and baselining the project plan
• Tracking progress: actual vs planned
• Updating tasks and resource usage
• Monitoring timelines, costs, and variances
• Generating Gantt charts and project reports

Module 10: Performance Measurement and Earned Value Management

• Introduction to performance measurement techniques
• Using Earned Value Analysis (EVA) in MS Project
• Key EVA metrics: PV, EV, AC, SPI, CPI
• Visualizing project performance with MS Project reports

Module 11: Customizing and Optimizing MS Project

• Creating custom views and tables
• Building and modifying project reports
• Exporting data to Excel and PowerPoint
• Tips for effective use of MS Project in real-world settings

Module 12: Emerging Topics in Project Management and M&E

• Introduction to Agile and hybrid project management
• Digital tools for M&E (KoboToolbox, Power BI, mobile data collection)
• Integrating GIS and remote sensing in project tracking
• Climate-smart and gender-responsive project planning
• Sustainability, scalability, and exit strategies

Module 13: Practical Exercises and Group Work

• Case study-based group planning and tracking exercises
• Developing and presenting an M&E framework
• Creating a full project schedule in MS Project
• Conducting earned value analysis on a sample project

Training Approach

This course will be delivered by our skilled trainers who have vast knowledge and experience as expert professionals in the fields. The course is taught in English and through a mix of theory, practical activities, group discussion and case studies. Course manuals and additional training materials will be provided to the participants upon completion of the training.

Tailor-Made Course

This course can also be tailor-made to meet organization requirement. For further inquiries, please contact us on: Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com Tel: +254 721 331 808

Training Venue

The training will be held at our Upskill Training Centre. We also offer training for a group at requested location all over the world. The course fee covers the course tuition, training materials, two break refreshments, and buffet lunch.

Visa application, travel expenses, airport transfers, dinners, accommodation, insurance, and other personal expenses are catered by the participant

Certification

Participants will be issued with Upskill certificate upon completion of this course.

Airport Pickup and Accommodation

Airport pickup and accommodation is arranged upon request. For booking contact our Training Coordinator through Email: training@upskilldevelopment.com, +254 721 331 808

Terms of Payment

Unless otherwise agreed between the two parties payment of the course fee should be done 3 working days before commencement of the training so as to enable us to prepare better.