Training Workshop: Using M&E Insight, an Open Source Data Management System

Group Submission Type: Pre-conference Workshop

Description of Session

International development projects are often challenged with managing large amounts of data and information across multiple programs and partners. Organizations tend to use one of two solutions: either create a unique custom platform that cannot easily be replicated for other projects or purchase proprietary a subscription-based platform that cannot be sustained beyond the life of the project. Using a common data standards approach, Education Development Center (EDC) created an open source data management platform called M&E Insight with customizable templates that can be easily adapted and scaled for use by international development projects, local governments, and partners. The system features a visual, interactive interface that makes it easy to collect, organize, manage, and analyze data. Data can be entered and extracted through a user-friendly online interface or collected offline and uploaded to the system, where it is then linked to interactive dashboards (with external tools) that are accessible by all stakeholders. This system is available at no cost on GitHub and can be downloaded and configured for use by Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) practitioners.

In this workshop, participants will learn how to easily organize, prepare, and setup M&E Insight as a data management system and how it can be adapted to projects of all types and sizes. In addition, participants will be introduced the benefits of collaborating with open source projects for social good.

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:
• Setup an instance of M&E Insight, an open source data management system using an example project template and learn how to collect, monitor, report, and analyze data.
• Understand the values of using common data standards approach for international development projects and how to identify common data elements for their projects
• Learn how to collaborate with open source projects for M&E and international development for social good

Audience: M&E practitioners, who work and manage international projects for education, workforce development, and health.
Delivery plan:

• Phase 1: Introduction to the common education data standards conceptual model and share how EDC projects are using M&E Insight to streamline their data management processes.
• Phase 2: How-to setup M&E Insight using an example project.
• Phase 3: Break into groups to practice each of the steps to setup M&E Insight to organize, input, and report on data
• Phase 4: Regroup to reflect

Sub Unit

• Pre-Conference Workshops, Book launches, and Art Exhibits / Pre-Conference Workshop

Workshop Organizers

• Munir Mahomar, Education Development Center

• Neena Aggarwal, Education Development Center

Presenters

• Lisa Hartenberger Toby, Education Development Center (EDC)

• Willard Mutoka, Education Development Center - USAID Zambia Let’s Read Project

• Munir Mahomar, Education Development Center

• Neena Aggarwal, Education Development Center