Results-Based Management for Development Programmes Training Course

Duration 5 days 10 modules · 33 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Programme Managers, Monitoring and Evaluation Officers and others
Fee from USD 1,100 KSh 95,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 9 Nov 2026 Course code SD-ME-087

Before you join: Participants should have experience working with development, humanitarian, public-sector or NGO programmes and a basic familiarity with project documents such as proposals, workplans, budgets or donor reports.

Dates & prices

Two start dates a month in every city, and live online on weekdays or weekends. Fees are per participant; classroom fees include tuition, materials, lunch and refreshments, and the certificate.

Suggest a date or city

Showing the next six months. Later dates, other cities and private deliveries for your team are available on request.

Course overview

Development programmes are increasingly expected to show credible evidence that funded activities produce meaningful change, not merely that budgets were spent and services delivered. Teams must translate needs assessments into clear result pathways, choose indicators that can be measured affordably, establish baselines, manage data quality and report findings honestly. Weak results frameworks create vague targets, unreliable reporting, missed risks and decisions based on activity counts rather than outcome evidence.

This course develops the practical disciplines of Results-Based Management (RBM) for development and humanitarian programmes. Participants build results chains, theories of change and logframes; write measurable outcome and output statements; design indicator reference sheets; prepare monitoring plans; and frame evaluations using OECD DAC criteria. They examine sampling, qualitative and quantitative data collection, data quality assessments, disaggregation, contribution claims, adaptive management and donor reporting. Cases reflect common programme settings such as livelihoods, health, education, protection, governance and emergency response.

Teaching combines focused instructor briefings with facilitated case work, group analysis, reporting simulations and structured application planning. Participants work through the decisions required to turn a programme concept into a usable results framework and evidence plan. They leave with a reusable RBM toolkit containing a results framework, indicator reference sheet, monitoring plan, evaluation matrix and results-reporting structure that can be adapted to their own portfolio.

The course suits staff who design, manage, monitor, evaluate or report on externally funded development and humanitarian interventions. It is particularly relevant where several partners contribute data, donor reporting requirements are demanding, or managers need clearer evidence to adjust delivery.

What you will be able to do

  • Construct a results chain linking activities, outputs, outcomes and intended impact
  • Develop a theory of change with testable assumptions and causal pathways
  • Write SMART result statements and indicator reference sheets for programme frameworks
  • Design a costed monitoring plan with data sources, collection methods and responsibilities
  • Prepare baseline and evaluation matrices using OECD DAC criteria
  • Apply sampling, disaggregation, safeguarding and data quality assessment methods
  • Analyse quantitative and qualitative monitoring data for management decisions
  • Use adaptive management and results-reporting methods to communicate evidence credibly

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Produce clearer logframes and theories of change for funding proposals
  • Specify indicators that colleagues and partners can collect consistently
  • Challenge weak causal claims and misleading performance reporting
  • Plan evaluations and baselines with better questions and realistic methods
  • Lead evidence-based programme review discussions with donors and managers

For your organisation

  • Improves consistency between programme designs, workplans, budgets and reports
  • Creates more credible evidence for donor accountability and funding decisions
  • Reduces duplicate, low-value and poorly defined data collection
  • Identifies delivery problems earlier through structured performance reviews
  • Strengthens partner accountability for results, data quality and corrective action

Course modules

10 modules over 5 days

Construct a clear RBM results chain and distinguish the levels of accountability within it.

  • RBM chain: inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impact distinctions
  • UNDP results framework terminology and OECD DAC results vocabulary
  • Separate accountability for outputs from contribution to higher-level outcomes
  • Draft problem statements using evidence, affected groups and causal factors
  • Map assumptions, external factors and programme control boundaries
  • Distinguish intended results from activities, deliverables and implementation milestones

Develop a theory of change that explains how programme interventions are expected to produce results.

  • Stakeholder analysis using power-interest grids, rights-holders and duty-bearers
  • Problem trees linking core problems, causes and direct effects
  • Objective trees converting negative conditions into achievable result statements
  • Theory of change pathways with preconditions, assumptions and interventions
  • Systems mapping identifies feedback loops, actors and unintended consequences
  • Validate causal logic against baseline evidence and stakeholder perspectives

Build a logically consistent results framework with measurable statements and testable assumptions.

  • Logframes linking goal, outcome, outputs, activities, indicators and assumptions
  • Write outcome statements describing measurable change for defined populations
  • Apply SMART criteria without confusing targets with indicator definitions
  • Vertical logic tests relationships between activities, outputs and outcomes
  • Horizontal logic aligns indicators, data sources, risks and assumptions
  • Quality-check result statements for plausibility, attribution and operational control

Specify useful indicators, baselines and targets that support credible performance measurement.

  • Indicator reference sheets specify definitions, disaggregation, frequency and responsibility
  • Select indicators using validity, reliability, sensitivity and feasibility criteria
  • Measure outcome change through prevalence, rate, ratio and index indicators
  • Disaggregate results by sex, age, disability, location and income
  • Set baselines and targets using historical data, benchmarks and projections
  • Detect proxy indicators, perverse incentives and measurement blind spots

Design a monitoring system with suitable data collection methods, controls and accountabilities.

  • Monitoring plans connect indicators, methods, schedules, budgets and accountabilities
  • Data collection matrices define sources, instruments, samples and verification steps
  • Choose census, probability sampling and purposive sampling for programme questions
  • Apply informed consent, confidentiality, safeguarding and do-no-harm protocols
  • Mobile data collection workflows using KoboToolbox forms and validation rules
  • Data quality assessments check accuracy, completeness, timeliness, integrity and precision

Prepare a baseline and evaluation design that answers priority programme and accountability questions.

  • Baseline studies establish pre-intervention values, context and comparison points
  • Evaluation questions align with relevance, coherence, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability
  • OECD DAC criteria framed as answerable evaluation questions
  • Comparison groups, contribution analysis and process tracing address causal claims
  • Terms of reference specify purpose, scope, users, methods and governance
  • Evaluation matrices link questions, indicators, sources, methods and judgement criteria

Analyse monitoring evidence and interpret findings responsibly against programme expectations.

  • Clean datasets through range checks, duplicate detection and missing-data review
  • Cross-tabulations reveal disparities by demographic group, location and service exposure
  • Calculate proportions, rates, percentage-point changes and confidence intervals
  • Qualitative coding uses codebooks, thematic matrices and intercoder checks
  • Triangulate administrative records, survey findings, observations and participant accounts
  • Interpret findings against targets, baselines, assumptions and contextual events

Use performance evidence to identify corrective actions, test assumptions and improve programme delivery.

  • Performance reviews compare actual results, targets, budgets and implementation progress
  • Traffic-light dashboards flag variance, delay, risk and decision ownership
  • After-action reviews capture evidence, decisions, lessons and follow-up actions
  • Pause-and-reflect sessions test assumptions and revise implementation responses
  • Adaptive management decisions document triggers, authority, changes and rationale
  • Learning agendas prioritise uncertainties, evidence needs and management questions

Prepare results reports that communicate evidence, limitations and management implications clearly.

  • Results reports connect indicator evidence, narrative interpretation and management decisions
  • Donor reporting calendars integrate contractual milestones, indicator deadlines and approvals
  • Data visualisation selects charts matched to comparison, trend and composition
  • Communicate uncertainty, limitations and negative findings without overstating results
  • Outcome harvesting documents observed changes and verifies contribution claims
  • Prepare evidence briefs for donors, boards, communities and implementation teams

Set practical RBM governance arrangements and prepare a prioritised plan for programme improvement.

  • RACI matrices assign monitoring, review, approval and escalation responsibilities
  • Budget monitoring costs for data collection, evaluation, learning and reporting
  • Risk registers connect assumptions, early warnings, mitigation and contingency actions
  • Partner capacity assessments identify RBM skills, systems and support priorities
  • Results-based management action plans sequence improvements, owners and review dates
  • Quality assurance checklists test framework coherence, evidence use and accountability

Exercises and examples are adapted to each cohort's sectors and roles.

What you take back to work

  1. Results chain and logframe template
  2. Theory of change worksheet
  3. Indicator reference sheet template
  4. Costed monitoring plan template
  5. OECD DAC evaluation matrix
  6. RBM improvement action plan

Who should attend

  • Programme Managers — need evidence to steer delivery and account for results
  • Monitoring and Evaluation Officers — design indicators, data systems and performance reports
  • Project Coordinators — translate workplans into measurable outputs and outcome tracking
  • Donor Relations Managers — prepare credible results narratives and evidence for funders
  • Technical Advisers — strengthen causal logic and measurement within sector programmes
  • Implementing Partner Managers — align partner reporting, data responsibilities and review processes

Skills and tools covered

Results framework designIndicator developmentMonitoring planningEvaluation designData quality assuranceAdaptive management

Tools and standards

Logframe, Theory of Change, OECD DAC evaluation criteria, KoboToolbox

How the course runs

Training methodology

The instructor introduces each RBM method through short briefings and worked examples, then participants apply it to realistic development and humanitarian cases. Group work covers problem analysis, results-framework design, indicator selection, monitoring plans, evaluation questions and reporting decisions. Simulations test how teams respond to weak data, missed targets and changing assumptions. Facilitated discussion compares donor expectations with practical delivery constraints. Each participant develops an application plan for transferring selected tools to an active or planned programme.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have experience working with development, humanitarian, public-sector or NGO programmes and a basic familiarity with project documents such as proposals, workplans, budgets or donor reports. They should understand the difference between an activity and an output, even if they have not previously used formal RBM methods. No prior training in statistics, evaluation, logframe design or data software is required. The course explains quantitative concepts at a practical working level rather than as advanced statistical analysis.

A typical training day

08:30 – 10:30First session
10:30 – 10:45Refreshment break
10:45 – 12:30Second session
12:30 – 13:30Lunch and networking
13:30 – 15:00Third session
15:00 – 15:15Refreshment break
15:15 – 16:30Workshop and daily review

Live online deliveries follow the same structure in East Africa Time, with shorter screen blocks and longer breaks.

What the fee includes

  • Instruction by a practitioner facilitator
  • Full course workbook and materials
  • Exercise files, templates and case studies
  • Refreshments and lunch on classroom deliveries
  • Certificate of completion
  • Post-course application plan

Frequently asked questions

You should have some exposure to programme delivery, project coordination, technical assistance, grants or reporting in a development or humanitarian setting. You do not need previous formal training in RBM, statistics, evaluation or KoboToolbox.

Bring a laptop if possible, plus a current or recent project proposal, logframe, workplan, donor report or monitoring form if you can share it safely. Course materials and case documents are provided, and you can work from a fictional case where project documents are confidential.

It is designed for programme managers, M&E staff, project coordinators, technical advisers, grants teams and implementing partner managers. Participants benefit most when they need to design, improve or report on a programme results framework.

Project management courses focus primarily on scope, schedule, resources and delivery controls, while evaluation courses often concentrate on commissioning or conducting evaluations. This course connects programme design, monitoring, evaluation, learning and reporting through the RBM results chain.

You can use the templates to revise a logframe, define indicator reference sheets, build a monitoring plan or strengthen an upcoming donor report. The final application plan helps identify immediate changes, responsible owners and review dates for your programme.

Training runs from 08:30 to 16:30 each day and provides about 32.5 contact hours. Ten modules provide the teaching structure, with additional contact time used for cases, group analysis, simulations, feedback and application planning.

Questions about this course?

Ask about dates, fees, group bookings or running it for your team. Our training team replies by email.

Ask on WhatsApp info@skillsetdevelopment.com

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