12.3 Focus

Monitoring refers to the planned, ongoing, and systematic process of collecting and analyzing program-related information in order to inform management and decision-makers about implementation progress and the program’s performance in relation to its stated objectives and expectations (Markiewicz & Patrick, 2022/2016). Different focuses can be determined. The first step consists of identifying what needs to be monitored. Criteria include the fidelity of the intervention in comparison to the original plan (including costs); the reach; the intervention quality; whether or not the goals were achieved; and impacts on planetary health.

These five criteria apply to either the structure, the process, or the results (see Table 12.1). Quality includes two dimensions: a technical dimension that involves the application of science or technology to manage the problem, and an interpersonal dimensions which includes factors such as client satisfaction or dimensions related to “art of care” (Donabedian, 1980).

Table 12.1 Performance Measurement Criteria

_{Source: Adapted from Champagne, F., Hartz, Z., Brousselle, A., & Contandriopoulos, A. P. (2011d). L’appréciation normative. In A. Brousselle, F. Champagne, A. P. Contandriopoulos, & Z. Hartz (Eds.), L’évaluation: concepts et méthodes. Deuxième édition mise à jour. Les Presses de l’Université de Montréal: 98.}