SurveyCTO for Monitoring and Evaluation Training Course

Duration 10 days 21 modules · 65 contact hours
Level Intermediate Certificate on completion
Who attends Monitoring and Evaluation Officers, M&E Managers and others
Fee from USD 2,200 KSh 190,000 for Kenyan organisations
Where 52 cities + online See dates by city
Next start 16 Nov 2026 Course code SD-ME-159

Before you join: Participants should understand basic monitoring concepts such as indicators, targets, disaggregation and reporting periods.

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

Monitoring teams often lose time correcting incomplete submissions, reconciling duplicate records, chasing enumerators for clarification, and rebuilding reports from poorly structured data. SurveyCTO can reduce these failures when forms, workflows, permissions and quality controls are designed around the results framework rather than treated as a technical afterthought. This course prepares participants to design and manage mobile data collection systems that produce credible monitoring evidence for programmes, evaluations, assessments and accountability processes.

Participants build a SurveyCTO workflow from indicator definition through form deployment, field supervision, data cleaning, analysis and reporting. They translate logframes into measurable questions, build XLSForms and SurveyCTO forms, configure relevance logic, constraints, repeat groups, multilingual content and fieldwork controls. The course also covers sampling documentation, consent, data protection, audit trails, quality checks, datasets, case management, exports and data-use routines. Participants learn how to diagnose common field data problems and establish procedures for timely correction.

Instruction is delivered over 10 days, from 08:30 to 16:30, with approximately 6.5 contact hours each day. It is available in classrooms in 50+ cities or live online. Short technical briefings are followed by guided case work, configuration tasks, peer reviews and fieldwork simulations. Participants leave with a deployable monitoring form, an indicator and data-management package, a fieldwork quality assurance plan and a documented SurveyCTO workflow. A certificate of completion is issued to participants who complete the course.

The course suits M&E staff, programme teams, research personnel and data collection managers who already understand basic project monitoring and need practical control over digital data collection.

What you will be able to do

  • Translate a results framework into indicator reference sheets and mobile data requirements
  • Build SurveyCTO forms using XLSForm question types, relevance logic and constraints
  • Configure repeat groups, rosters, calculations and multilingual form content
  • Apply informed consent, safeguarding and data-protection controls to field data collection
  • Set up SurveyCTO users, permissions, form deployment and enumerator workflows
  • Implement data-quality checks using required fields, ranges, audit trails and review rules
  • Export, clean and analyse monitoring datasets for indicator reporting and management decisions
  • Present a complete SurveyCTO monitoring workflow with supporting fieldwork documentation

Benefits of attending

For you

  • Build and maintain deployable SurveyCTO forms without relying on external developers
  • Identify data-quality failures before they distort indicator reports
  • Manage enumerator submissions, corrections and fieldwork follow-up with clear procedures
  • Document secure data-collection workflows for audits, donors and evaluation teams
  • Produce cleaner monitoring datasets for faster analysis and reporting

For your organisation

  • Reduce incomplete, inconsistent and duplicate records from field data collection
  • Shorten the interval between field submission and management reporting
  • Standardise indicator definitions, forms and quality checks across programme locations
  • Strengthen consent, access control and sensitive-data handling procedures
  • Create reusable SurveyCTO templates for future assessments and monitoring cycles

Course modules

21 modules over 10 days

Participants can define how SurveyCTO supports a results-based monitoring system.

  • Results chains connecting activities, outputs, outcomes and impact measurement questions
  • Indicator reference sheets defining numerator, denominator, source, frequency and disaggregation
  • Digital collection choices for baseline, monitoring, endline and rapid assessments
  • Respondent pathways mapped from consent through interview completion and referral
  • Data flow diagrams linking enumerators, supervisors, server and decision makers
  • SurveyCTO roles within an M&E system and fieldwork protocol

Participants can translate indicators into valid, field-ready survey questions.

  • SMART indicators tested against programme outcomes and decision requirements
  • Construct definitions separating direct measures, proxies and perception measures
  • Question wording aligned with indicator reference sheet definitions
  • Response options designed for mutually exclusive and collectively exhaustive categories
  • Disaggregation variables specified for sex, age, disability and location
  • Recall periods selected to reduce respondent burden and measurement error

Participants can incorporate ethical and data-protection requirements into form workflows.

  • Informed consent scripts covering purpose, voluntary participation and withdrawal
  • Do-no-harm assessment for sensitive questions and vulnerable respondents
  • Data minimisation applied to personally identifiable information collection
  • Safeguarding referral protocols embedded within respondent and enumerator procedures
  • Purpose limitation documented for collection, access, retention and sharing
  • Ethical review requirements distinguished from operational approval processes

Participants can configure a SurveyCTO project workspace with appropriate access controls.

  • SurveyCTO Server workspace structure for programmes, studies and form portfolios
  • User accounts assigned according to enumerator, supervisor and administrator responsibilities
  • Permission settings matched to form access, data review and exports
  • Project naming conventions supporting traceability, version control and reporting
  • Form lifecycle stages defined from draft through archive status
  • Submission ownership rules documented for enumerator and supervisor accountability

Participants can structure an XLSForm workbook for reliable SurveyCTO form development.

  • XLSForm survey, choices and settings worksheets structured correctly
  • Question names created as unique machine-readable data field identifiers
  • Question types selected for text, numbers, dates, selects and media
  • Choice lists organised for reusable coded response options
  • Form settings configured for title, identifier, version and default language
  • Variable naming conventions aligned with indicator tracking tables and exports

Participants can create and publish functional SurveyCTO data collection forms.

  • SurveyCTO form designer used to create standard question elements
  • Sections and groups arranged around interview flow and respondent burden
  • Required responses configured only where missing data prevents valid interpretation
  • Hints and guidance notes written for enumerator consistency
  • Media prompts incorporated for images, audio, signatures and barcode capture
  • Form preview used to inspect wording, labels and visible instructions

Participants can control question pathways and derive fields using SurveyCTO logic.

  • Relevance expressions direct respondents through conditional question pathways
  • Skip patterns tested against all plausible response combinations
  • Calculate fields derive ages, totals, ratios and interview durations
  • Boolean expressions combine conditions using and, or and not
  • Selected values referenced correctly within single-select and multiple-select questions
  • Hidden fields used for derived values and controlled workflow variables

Participants can prevent common entry errors through field-level validation controls.

  • Range constraints prevent impossible ages, quantities, dates and percentages
  • Soft constraints flag unusual entries while permitting justified exceptions
  • Hard constraints block invalid values before form submission
  • Constraint messages explain correction requirements in plain enumerator language
  • Cross-field validation compares related responses for internal consistency
  • Format checks validate telephone numbers, identifiers and structured codes

Participants can model repeated entities such as household members and service visits.

  • Repeat groups capture multiple household members, events and observations
  • Roster questions establish household composition before member-level modules
  • Repeat counts calculated from roster totals and service utilisation records
  • Nested repeats assessed for complexity, respondent burden and data extraction
  • Member identifiers retained to link repeat records with parent submissions
  • Household relationships coded using standardised roster response categories

Participants can prepare forms for multilingual enumerator and respondent use.

  • Language columns structured for labels, hints, messages and choices
  • Translation workflows preserve question meaning, terminology and response categories
  • Back-translation checks identify conceptual errors in sensitive questions
  • Local-language enumerator guidance distinguishes scripted text from instructions
  • Plain-language wording reduces cognitive burden for respondents with limited literacy
  • Accessibility considerations address visual, hearing, mobility and communication barriers

Participants can deploy forms to Android devices and manage submission procedures.

  • SurveyCTO Collect configured with server details and authorised accounts
  • Blank forms downloaded and checked before fieldwork begins
  • Offline collection procedures prepared for low-connectivity field locations
  • Submission timing rules defined for daily synchronisation and escalation
  • Device readiness checks cover batteries, storage, updates and protective measures
  • Enumerator instructions distinguish saved drafts from completed submissions

Participants can align SurveyCTO field procedures with documented sampling and location requirements.

  • Sampling frame fields capture selection units, strata and respondent identifiers
  • Unique identifiers generated to prevent duplicate household or beneficiary records
  • GPS capture settings matched to protection risks and operational requirements
  • Location verification procedures distinguish coordinates, administrative areas and landmarks
  • Replacement rules documented for unavailable, refused and ineligible respondents
  • Contact attempt logs record outcomes, dates and follow-up actions

Participants can establish controls for detecting and correcting poor-quality submissions.

  • Data quality dimensions assessed for completeness, accuracy, timeliness and consistency
  • Audit trails reviewed for interview duration, edits and enumerator patterns
  • Supervisor review rules prioritise high-risk fields and anomalous submissions
  • Daily error reports classify missing data, outliers and logic failures
  • Correction workflows preserve original records and document resolution decisions
  • Quality thresholds set for acceptance, rejection and enumerator retraining

Participants can manage field teams using structured supervision and performance information.

  • Enumerator briefing packs define objectives, procedures, scripts and escalation contacts
  • Fieldwork dashboards track assignments, submissions, completion rates and exceptions
  • Supervisor check-ins schedule daily reviews, coaching and corrective action
  • Enumerator performance metrics distinguish productivity from data-quality indicators
  • Protocol deviations logged with cause, corrective action and approval status
  • Field incident registers capture safety, safeguarding and access constraints

Participants can use SurveyCTO datasets and cases to support follow-up workflows.

  • Datasets store reference lists, beneficiary records and controlled identifiers
  • Case management workflows assign follow-ups, updates and verification actions
  • Preloaded records reduce re-entry and support longitudinal monitoring
  • Lookup fields retrieve relevant household or beneficiary information securely
  • Case status categories distinguish pending, completed, referred and closed records
  • Update procedures preserve history while maintaining current operational records

Participants can prepare clean, documented SurveyCTO datasets for analysis and reporting.

  • Export formats selected for Excel, CSV, Stata, SPSS and R
  • Wide and long data structures interpreted for repeat-group analysis
  • Data cleaning logs record issue, action, rationale and responsible reviewer
  • Codebooks document variable names, labels, values and missing-data conventions
  • De-identification procedures remove direct identifiers before data sharing
  • Versioned exports maintain traceability from raw submission to analysis dataset

Participants can turn cleaned monitoring data into indicator-focused management information.

  • Indicator calculations apply approved numerators, denominators and disaggregation rules
  • Frequency tables identify distribution patterns, missingness and unusual values
  • Cross-tabulations compare results by location, population group and reporting period
  • Trend analysis distinguishes programme progress from seasonal variation
  • Charts selected for comparison, composition, distribution and time-series reporting
  • Data interpretation notes separate findings, limitations, assumptions and recommendations

Participants can connect SurveyCTO evidence to routine reporting and management action.

  • Indicator tracking tables reconcile targets, actuals, variance and narrative explanation
  • Management questions prioritise evidence needed for programme decisions
  • Data review meetings assign actions, owners, deadlines and follow-up evidence
  • Learning logs capture findings, adaptations and unresolved evidence gaps
  • Donor reporting requirements mapped to source data and validation procedures
  • Feedback loops communicate findings to communities, partners and field teams

Participants can adapt SurveyCTO designs for evaluations, needs assessments and accountability studies.

  • Baseline and endline forms aligned with stable indicator definitions
  • Needs assessment modules prioritise severity, vulnerability and service access
  • Post-distribution monitoring questions measure receipt, use, satisfaction and protection
  • OECD DAC criteria translated into evidence questions and data sources
  • Mixed-method designs distinguish structured surveys from qualitative follow-up
  • Enumerator neutrality procedures reduce interviewer influence and social desirability bias

Participants can document governance controls for SurveyCTO monitoring data.

  • Role-based access controls limit data visibility to legitimate responsibilities
  • Sensitive variables classified by confidentiality, protection risk and access need
  • Encryption options assessed against programme data-protection requirements
  • Data retention schedules define archival, deletion and approved preservation periods
  • Data-sharing agreements specify purpose, recipients, safeguards and accountability
  • Incident response procedures cover loss, unauthorised access and disclosure

Participants can build, review and present a complete SurveyCTO monitoring workflow for a programme case.

  • Results framework converted into indicators, questions and disaggregation variables
  • SurveyCTO form assembled with logic, constraints, repeats and multilingual content
  • Fieldwork protocol specifies roles, devices, supervision and correction procedures
  • Quality assurance plan defines checks, thresholds, reports and escalation actions
  • Data-management package documents exports, cleaning, access and retention controls
  • Peer review tests form functionality, evidence quality and implementation readiness

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

What you take back to work

  1. SurveyCTO monitoring form template
  2. Indicator reference sheet pack
  3. XLSForm design workbook
  4. Fieldwork quality assurance plan
  5. Data cleaning and export protocol
  6. Monitoring data governance checklist

Who should attend

  • Monitoring and Evaluation Officers — need reliable indicator data from field collection systems
  • M&E Managers — oversee data quality, reporting cycles and evidence use
  • Programme Managers — require timely monitoring evidence for delivery decisions
  • Research Officers — design structured surveys and manage enumerator-led studies
  • Field Coordinators — supervise enumerators, submissions and corrective action
  • Information Management Officers — manage secure datasets, exports and reporting inputs

Skills and tools covered

SurveyCTO form designXLSForm programmingFieldwork quality assuranceIndicator data managementMobile data securityMonitoring data analysis

Tools and standards

SurveyCTO Server, SurveyCTO Collect, XLSForm, OECD DAC evaluation criteria

How the course runs

Training methodology

The course combines concise instructor briefings with guided configuration work in SurveyCTO and XLSForm. Participants analyse development and humanitarian monitoring cases, convert indicator definitions into questions, build forms, test field scenarios and review submissions against quality rules. Small-group reviews focus on wording, logic, ethics and data-management decisions. Simulations cover enumerator workflows, supervisor checks and correction cycles. Each participant applies the methods to a selected programme context and receives structured feedback before the final capstone presentation.

Requirements and prerequisites

Participants should understand basic monitoring concepts such as indicators, targets, disaggregation and reporting periods. Experience using spreadsheets to review data is expected, including sorting, filtering and simple formulas. Familiarity with a results framework, logframe or indicator tracking table is helpful. Participants should be comfortable using a laptop and Android smartphone or tablet. Prior SurveyCTO, XLSForm, programming, statistical analysis or database administration experience is not required. The course teaches the technical setup needed for routine monitoring systems rather than advanced econometrics or impact evaluation design.

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 understand basic monitoring concepts, including indicators, targets and disaggregation, and be comfortable using spreadsheets. No prior SurveyCTO, XLSForm, programming or statistical software experience is required.

Bring a laptop with spreadsheet software and, where possible, an Android phone or tablet for mobile collection testing. Participants are also encouraged to bring a current indicator tracking table, logframe or sample questionnaire from their work.

It is designed for M&E officers, programme staff, research officers, information management personnel and field coordinators responsible for collecting or using monitoring data. It is particularly useful for teams moving from paper forms or inconsistent digital tools to structured SurveyCTO workflows.

General M&E courses focus primarily on results frameworks, indicators, evaluation approaches and reporting. This course applies those concepts to SurveyCTO form design, field deployment, data quality controls, datasets and data-management procedures.

You will be able to build or improve forms for routine monitoring, assessments, beneficiary follow-up and evaluation studies. The templates and protocols can be adapted for your organisation's indicator definitions, safeguarding requirements and reporting cycles.

Each day runs from 08:30 to 16:30 and provides about 6.5 contact hours. The first part establishes M&E requirements and form-building skills; the second part focuses on fieldwork controls, data management, analysis and a final monitoring-system capstone.

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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