Regional Development Strategy Based on eWork: Step 8

Monitoring and evaluation

A simple, clear and distinct monitoring procedure should be implemented that regularly assesses progress in relation to the original vision, goals and objectives. Much of this can be undertaken at regular steering group meetings where verbal activity reports are made and specific written reports from individuals or sub-groups are received and discussed.

Overall progress reviews should be made at critical points in the action plan, for example after each stage and project. Timetables, actor roles and resources are critical aspects that need careful review at these times and action if things start to go wrong or if improvements are to be made.

A particularly important aspect relates to the question of who pays? This concerns fund raising, networking and public relations. The steering group should be constantly on the look-out for new or additional resources to involve in planning new actions and implementing existing ones. There are many types of resources needed to carry out a regional development action involving eWork and ICT, including:

human resources: knowledge, skills, expertise, community and commercial leadership and influence. (see eWork skills and knowledge management)
physical resources: facilities, supplies and equipment
ICT infrastructures and services (see supply side dynamics of regional ICT and use of ICT and the digitisation of work)
information
finance.

It may be necessary to set up a sub-group specifically concerned with resource development. Many resources exist locally and regionally, but national and international resources are also available and many of these can be accessed through directories and information services (see funding sources).

Building on the on-going monitoring process as the action draws to a conclusion, its overall effects will need to be evaluated in the context of the overall vision, goals and objectives. Some of the following questions will need to be asked:

has the action made a real positive difference to regional development that will be sustainable in the future?
what went wrong and what was successful, and why was this?
what lessons have been learned about developing strategies and implementing actions to promote regional development based on eWork and ICT?
should the vision, goals and objectives be changed, and if so how?
what about the time scale?
what about the actors, especially users and suppliers, and their roles and responsibilities?
what about resources, particularly finance?
how did the action fit in with other regional development activities in the area?
what specific and general lessons have been learned about eWork and how it can best be used to promote regional development?
what specific and general lessons have been learned about ICT systems and how they can best be used to promote regional development?

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