Free course · Lesson 2 of 5
Proposal Writing & Monitoring & Evaluation
In this lesson you will
- Write SMART objectives
- Choose output and outcome indicators
A strong proposal secures funding; a strong Monitoring & Evaluation (M&E) plan proves the project actually worked. Both follow a logical, learnable structure.
- Proposal structure: Problem statement, objectives, activities, expected outcomes, budget summary, and monitoring approach.
- SMART objectives: Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound — "Improve education" is not SMART; "Enroll 200 children in primary school by December" is.
- Monitoring tracks progress during implementation (are we on track?); Evaluation assesses results afterward (did it work?).
- Indicators: Specific measurements tied to each objective, collected consistently throughout the project.
Practical Skill: Write one SMART objective and 2 matching indicators for a project of your choice, plus a one-paragraph problem statement justifying the project.
=== SMART OBJECTIVE WORKSHEET === Weak objective: "Help students learn better" SMART version: "Increase the pass rate of Grade 8 mathematics exams from 45% to 65% among 150 students by the end of the school term, through weekly tutoring sessions." Your objective: __________________________________________________________________________________________________ Indicator 1: ____________________________________________ Data source: __________________________________________Indicator 2: ____________________________________________ Data source: __________________________________________Practice exercise
Rewrite 'improve hygiene in the community' as a SMART objective with a baseline, target and data source.
Key takeaways
- SMART objectives can be measured
- Outputs count activities; outcomes measure change
- Every indicator needs a baseline and target
Free self-study lesson — no certificate. For the full instructor-led program, see registration options.