Results-Based Management for NGOs Training Course

Duration 5 days 10 modules · 33 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Programme Managers, MEAL Officers and others
Fee from USD 1,100 KSh 95,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 7 Nov 2026 Course code SD-NM-045

Before you join: Participants should have basic experience of NGO, humanitarian or development programmes, such as contributing to proposals, workplans, implementation, monitoring or donor reporting.

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

NGOs are expected to show how funded activities lead to measurable changes for people and communities, while maintaining credible evidence for donors, boards, partners and affected populations. Weak results frameworks can produce vague indicators, unrealistic targets, disconnected monitoring plans and reports that describe activities rather than change. Results-Based Management (RBM) provides a disciplined way to design, monitor, analyse and communicate programme results.

This course develops the practical methods used to build and manage results-focused NGO programmes. Participants work through results chains, problem trees, Theory of Change pathways, logical frameworks, indicators, baselines, targets, monitoring and evaluation plans, data quality controls, risk registers and results reporting. They learn to distinguish outputs from outcomes, set measurable commitments, select feasible data collection methods, interpret variance and use evidence to adjust delivery decisions.

Teaching combines short instructor briefings with NGO and humanitarian cases, group analysis, facilitated planning tasks, reporting simulations and peer review. Participants apply the methods to a current or realistic programme scenario and leave with a structured RBM planning pack: a results framework, indicator reference sheets, monitoring and evaluation plan, data quality checklist, risk register and 90-day implementation plan. The five-day instructor-led course is available in classrooms in 50+ cities or live online, with 6.5 contact hours each day. Participants receive a certificate of completion.

The course suits programme, MEAL, grants and partnership staff who already contribute to project design, delivery or reporting and need a consistent method for managing results from proposal stage through evaluation.

What you will be able to do

  • Construct a results chain linking inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impact
  • Develop a Theory of Change using problem analysis, causal pathways and assumptions
  • Draft a logical framework with coherent vertical and horizontal logic
  • Write SMART indicators and complete indicator reference sheets
  • Set defensible baselines, targets and disaggregation requirements
  • Produce a costed monitoring and evaluation plan with RACI responsibilities
  • Apply Data Quality Assessment checks to programme monitoring data
  • Prepare results reports that explain variance, evidence strength and management action

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Produce donor-ready results frameworks with clearer outcome logic
  • Defend indicator choices, targets and evidence sources during review meetings
  • Identify weak monitoring data before it reaches donor reports
  • Explain programme variance with evidence rather than activity narratives
  • Lead structured results reviews and adaptive management discussions

For your organisation

  • Improves consistency between proposals, workplans, monitoring tools and donor reports
  • Reduces weak indicators, unsupported claims and late data-quality corrections
  • Creates clearer accountability for data collection, verification and reporting
  • Supports evidence-based decisions when assumptions, risks or delivery conditions change
  • Strengthens partner reporting through shared results planning tools and definitions

Course modules

10 modules over 5 days

Participants can explain the RBM architecture and distinguish different levels of results.

  • Results chain terminology: inputs, activities, outputs, outcomes and impact
  • Distinguishing accountability, learning and decision-use purposes within RBM systems
  • OECD DAC criteria and their relationship to programme results
  • Donor result frameworks: common requirements, reporting cycles and evidence expectations
  • Mapping stakeholders' information needs from community committees to governing boards
  • Results language that separates deliverables, changes and longer-term contribution
  • Using a results architecture to connect strategy, projects and portfolios

Participants can build an evidence-informed Theory of Change from a defined programme problem.

  • Problem tree analysis identifying causes, effects and affected groups
  • Converting problem trees into objective trees and feasible responses
  • Stakeholder analysis using interest-influence matrices and inclusion criteria
  • Gender, disability and protection considerations within causal analysis
  • Theory of Change pathways, preconditions, assumptions and interventions
  • Articulating contribution claims without overstating organisational control over outcomes
  • Testing causal pathways against evidence, context and implementation capacity

Participants can create a logical framework with coherent results statements, indicators and assumptions.

  • Logical Framework Approach structure: goal, outcome, outputs, activities and assumptions
  • Drafting vertical logic that links project outputs to intended outcomes
  • Completing narrative summaries with precise change statements and beneficiaries
  • Checking horizontal logic among indicators, verification sources and assumptions
  • Applying quality criteria to identify weak or circular logframes
  • Reconciling donor templates with an organisation's established results framework
  • Version control for approved logframes, amendments and partner contributions

Participants can select, define and document indicators that support useful management decisions.

  • Indicator selection criteria: validity, reliability, feasibility, sensitivity and utility
  • Writing SMART indicators for outputs, outcomes and service quality
  • Disaggregating indicators by sex, age, disability, location and displacement status
  • Defining numerators, denominators, units, frequency and responsible data owners
  • Selecting proxy indicators where direct measurement is unethical or impractical
  • Indicator reference sheets specifying definitions, sources and calculation methods
  • Preventing indicator overload through decision-use and reporting-priority tests

Participants can establish feasible baselines and targets supported by appropriate measurement choices.

  • Baseline study design aligned with indicators, decisions and available resources
  • Setting targets using historical data, benchmarks, coverage and implementation capacity
  • Target trajectories distinguishing annual milestones from endline commitments
  • Sampling basics: populations, frames, sample sizes and selection methods
  • Choosing quantitative, qualitative and mixed-method baseline approaches
  • Documenting baseline limitations, confidence bounds and missing-data risks
  • Updating targets when context, funding or delivery models materially change

Participants can prepare an operational monitoring and evaluation plan for a programme team.

  • Monitoring and evaluation plan linking questions, indicators, methods and timing
  • Data collection methods: surveys, observations, registers, interviews and focus groups
  • Assigning RACI responsibilities for collection, review, approval and reporting
  • Fieldwork protocols covering consent, safeguarding, confidentiality and referrals
  • Digital data collection workflows using KoboToolbox forms and validation rules
  • Managing partner-generated data through standardised tools and submission calendars
  • Costing M&E activities within programme budgets and workplans

Participants can assess, improve and document the quality of programme monitoring data.

  • Data quality dimensions: accuracy, completeness, timeliness, integrity and confidentiality
  • Data Quality Assessment protocols for source-document verification and spot checks
  • Tracing reported values from dashboards to registers and primary records
  • Cleaning datasets through range checks, duplicate detection and missing-value review
  • Establishing audit trails for corrections, approvals and dataset versions
  • Managing data protection risks under informed-consent and retention procedures
  • Escalating data quality exceptions through corrective action logs

Participants can analyse results data and communicate credible findings to decision-makers.

  • Analysis plans matching indicator types with disaggregation and comparison groups
  • Calculating rates, proportions, averages and percentage-point changes accurately
  • Comparing actual results against baselines, targets and prior reporting periods
  • Using contribution analysis to assess plausible links between intervention and change
  • Results narratives that explain variance, evidence strength and management response
  • Dashboards and scorecards designed for programme teams, donors and boards
  • Reporting negative findings, unintended effects and data limitations transparently

Participants can use results evidence, assumptions and risk information to adjust programme delivery.

  • Assumption monitoring distinguishes contextual conditions from project-controlled risks
  • Risk registers scoring likelihood, impact, owners, mitigations and triggers
  • Scenario planning for funding cuts, access constraints and population movement
  • Adaptive management cycles using evidence reviews and documented decisions
  • Change-control procedures for revising targets, activities and indicator definitions
  • After-action reviews capturing lessons, actions, owners and due dates
  • Feedback mechanisms linking community input to programme adjustments

Participants can commission useful evaluations and apply RBM methods to current programme priorities.

  • Evaluation questions framed around relevance, effectiveness, efficiency, impact and sustainability
  • Evaluation designs: experimental, quasi-experimental, theory-based and participatory approaches
  • Terms of reference specifying scope, methods, governance and intended use
  • Commissioning evaluators through clear deliverables, ethical requirements and quality criteria
  • Management responses assigning actions to evaluation findings and recommendations
  • Personal 90-day application plan for current programme results systems
  • Peer review of completed results frameworks against practical quality standards

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

What you take back to work

  1. Theory of Change template
  2. Logical framework quality checklist
  3. Indicator reference sheet template
  4. Monitoring and evaluation plan template
  5. Data Quality Assessment checklist
  6. 90-day RBM application plan

Who should attend

  • Programme Managers — need to connect delivery decisions to measurable programme outcomes
  • MEAL Officers — need consistent tools for indicators, data quality and learning
  • Project Coordinators — need to manage results commitments within implementation workplans
  • Grants Managers — need stronger donor proposals, reporting and results tracking
  • Country Office Managers — need comparable evidence across projects and partner portfolios
  • Partner Capacity Development Staff — need to support local organisations using shared RBM methods

Skills and tools covered

Results framework designTheory of ChangeIndicator developmentMonitoring plan developmentData quality assuranceResults reporting

Tools and standards

Theory of Change, Logical Framework Approach, OECD DAC evaluation criteria, KoboToolbox

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course uses short instructor briefings to establish each RBM method, followed by NGO and humanitarian case work, facilitated group exercises, planning simulations and structured peer review. Participants assess sample results frameworks, identify weak indicators, review monitoring data and prepare management responses to performance variance. Cases reflect grant-funded service delivery, humanitarian response and community development programmes. Trainers adapt examples to participant roles and regional contexts. Individual application planning connects course methods to each participant's current programme, reporting cycle or organisational results system.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should have basic experience of NGO, humanitarian or development programmes, such as contributing to proposals, workplans, implementation, monitoring or donor reporting. Familiarity with common project terms, including activities, outputs, beneficiaries and indicators, is useful. Participants should be able to read a project document and work with simple tables. Prior training in Results-Based Management, formal evaluation methods, statistics, research design or specialised data software is not required. The course explains the required concepts before applying them to programme planning and management.

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

Participants need basic familiarity with NGO, humanitarian or development project work. Experience with proposals, workplans, monitoring or donor reporting is useful, but prior RBM or evaluation training is not required.

Participants may bring an anonymised project proposal, logframe, monitoring plan or recent donor report for reference. A laptop is useful for live online delivery and helpful in classroom sessions, but no specialist software is required.

The course is designed for programme managers, MEAL staff, project coordinators, grants personnel and partner support staff. It is most useful for professionals who need to plan, monitor or report results within funded programmes.

Project management training focuses more broadly on scope, schedules, budgets and delivery controls. This course concentrates on the results logic, indicators, evidence, reporting and management decisions that show whether programmes are contributing to intended change.

Participants can use the templates to review an existing logframe, improve indicators, clarify data responsibilities and strengthen a reporting cycle. The 90-day application plan identifies specific changes for a current programme or organisational system.

The course includes 32.5 contact hours, delivered from 08:30 to 16:30 each day. Time is divided across ten connected modules covering results design, measurement, monitoring, data quality, reporting, adaptive management and evaluation use.

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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