Influence of Monitoring and Evaluation Practices on Performance of Health Projects: Evidence from SIKIKA Project in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

A number of development projects fail due to insufficient Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) initiatives. This study was conducted in Dodoma and Dar es Salaam regions of Tanzania to assess the influence of Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) practices on the performance of the SIKIKA Health Project. A purposive sampling technique was adopted to select the respondents. A total of 71 respondents participated in this study. Data were collected through interviews, focus group discussions, and documentary reviews. Findings revealed that the M&E activities influenced the performance of the SIKIKA Health Project. The M&E activities that were being done by the SIKIKA Health Project include preparation and use of standard M&E tools (84.5%), reporting (73.2%), site visit (67.6%), supportive supervision (57.7%) and participatory monitoring (39.4%). Each of these activities was critical in ensuring the project's success. The mean score was 4, meaning that the respondents agreed that the SIKIKA Health Project considered the M&E plan at the initial stage of the planning process. Further findings showed that project staff were being trained to carry out M&E activities. Likewise, the respondents disagreed that community engagement was being done to ensure they were involved in the project monitoring. Regularity of M&E, stakeholders’ participation, fund allocation, adoption of new technology, and management commitment had a significant influence (P < 0.05) on the performance of the project. The study findings conclude that the M&E practices influence project performance. The researchers recommend that for the SIKIKA to conduct M&E activities collaboratively should adopt a participatory M&E approach.