12 ways you can improve your Monitoring and Evaluation Information Management system
How can I use ActivityInfo to improve Information Management?
From Monitoring and Evaluation to Case Management and Case Tracking the software is being used by thousands of humanitarians around the world to manage the challenging task of data collection and analysis in a wide variety of settings. From Clusters and Hubs to Rapid Response Mechanisms and Crisis Response Plans, ActivityInfo facilitates the coordination of partner organizations, the Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) process, the management of individual cases and many more.
ActivityInfo was developed and launched for UNICEF's emergency program in eastern DRC in 2009 to respond to the needs of humanitarians for Information Management at that time. Since then it has been evolving constantly, adopting new features and capabilities to serve the emerging needs of the field. Information Management shouldn't be an obstacle to producing results. With this in mind the team of ActivityInfo works to facilitate the work of hundreds of organizations.
Here is a list of ways you can use ActivityInfo to improve the way you work with the data you collect within your organization.
1. Avoid duplicate effort and time lost on harmonization of reports
Handling multiple Excel files arriving from partner offices shouldn't worry you anymore since in ActivityInfo all users can have access to the Form you created at the same time. Everyone is reporting on the same platform, at the same time, on the same indicators and you can access all the information gathered in one place. You can always be aware of any additions, edits and removals that take place, thanks to the History feature that shows which user changed what. No more lengthy synchronizations of files and confusing email threads discussing changes and edits.
2. Avoid uncontrolled edits on data after the reporting period ends
By using Locks in ActivityInfo you can ensure that you control when a user can add data to a Form. You can decide for which time period you want the Lock to be active and ask your partners to contact you for changes.
3. Have full control of who does what
Lack of control on data collection can have consequences on the quality of the data gathered. By using the wide variety of permissions and roles available in ActivityInfo you can choose which users view, edit or manage the data on your database anytime.
4. Increase data collection frequency
Many organizations such as the REACH Initiative decreased the time needed for data entry by using ActivityInfo. The monthly process of data entry turned into a weekly process because the complexity was eliminated. Read more on the Case Study we had with the REACH Initiative.
5. React at the right moment as you know what is happening in real-time
Taking a decision based on outdated data is not useful in any scenario. In Activityinfo you can create Reports that allow you to view in real-time what the data collected tells you and react accordingly in time. Learn how UNICEF in Lebanon reacts in a timely manner thanks to the data gathered in ActivityInfo, in the Case Study we had with UNICEF in Lebanon
6. Collect data with a mobile device but analyze it on the big screen
When you are on the field it might be handy to use a mobile device instead of a laptop to collect data. ActivityInfo can be used on a mobile device to allow you to collect data quickly and easily in the field.
7. Work even when there is no Internet connection
Lack of or poor Internet connectivity should not hinder the process of data collection. ActivityInfo can be used for offline data collection to allow field officers to collect data on the ground and then sync it to the system. For the International Budget Partnership(IBP) working offline played an important role for choosing ActivityInfo as the M&E software for managing quantitative data, read more about it in our Case Study with the IBP.
8. Start collecting data in minutes
Once the Form is created, the only thing needed for people to start entering data is to be added to the Database. Once they are added, by using their ActivityInfo account they can immediately start reporting their data.
9. Access your data anywhere you are
As ActivityInfo is a cloud-based service you don't need to download anything to your computer. You can reach all your Databases and your Forms from any computer in the world.
10. Showcase your work with Powerful Dynamic Dashboards
Your data might have an even greater impact if it's shared with other people. Thanks to the ActivityInfo API you can connect your databases with other systems and produce Powerful Dynamic Dashboards out of the Databases and Dashboards you already have in ActivityInfo. You can take a look at the Dashboard created by UNOCHA in Iraq using the ActivityInfo API.
11. Get a comprehensive overview with comparable Databases
Imagine having to manage different types of data from various countries for the same Database. It shouldn't sound scary. That and other complex structures can be managed with ActivityInfo thanks to the flexibility of the Form Designer. Read more on how the International Public Partnership handled a similar problem.
12. Don't wait for a technical consultant to come and set up your database
When your officers are in the field they don't have time to waste. Bigger or smaller changes in the Forms and the Databases should be done quickly and easily. Thanks to the ease of use of ActivityInfo you can apply any change you want in a minute. You don't need to have a technical consultant to help you set up the Databases or apply any changes.
If you haven't tried ActivityInfo so far you can do it by signing up for a Free Trial.