INTERNATIONAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT

JUNE 2014
Monitoring and
Reporting using the
CMORE Platform
MONITORING
DEVELOPMENT
ACTIVITIES &
INVESTMENTS
Project monitoring and reporting in some developing
regions can be hampered by instability and lack
of infrastructure and technology. As a result,
implementers can sometimes provide donors with
only limited data, making it more difficult to determine
whether a program is achieving desired results.
To address this, IRD created the CMORE platform
a collection of tools and processes that enable
international organizations, donors, and governments
to more effectively monitor their development assets
and investments. Leveraging widely available cellular
communications and internet technologies, CMORE
employs mobile and cloud-based applications for digital
data collection and transmission, management of field
staff, and sophisticated data visualization and analysis.
Quality assurance and documentation
for a wide variety of national social and
infrastructure development programs.
Documentation of community needs, IDP
population fluctuations, and incidents of
conflict and sectarian violence.
Targeted community stability interventions.
Improving Aid Accountability, Transparency & Visibility in Fragile States
The result is a comprehensive monitoring process to
collect, transmit, review, and geospatially present large
amounts of information for better management of
development aid.

CMORE is adaptable to virtually any program. IRD
works with its clients to carefully define information
requirements and choose applications and tools that
most effectively accomplish the projects reporting
needs. Furthermore, because CMORE leverages widely
available mobile and web technologies, users can
inconspicuously gather critical data, which is especially
important in an insecure working environment.

In Afghanistan and Yemen, CMORE is strengthening
the World Banks ability to track the progress, quality
of construction, and use of physical investments by
producing reliable implementation and service delivery
information and ensuring year-round access to project
sites. Also in Yemen, CMORE assisted USAID to produce
a rapid and accurate damage assessment of the recent
conflict in Abyan province. IRD worked with engineers
and government officials to inspect, measure, and
quantify damage to critical infrastructure and create
cost estimates for reconstruction and repair. CMORE
has also successfully enabled political activists and
civil society community leaders in other countries
experiencing conflict to document community needs,
damaged infrastructure, internally displaced person
population fluctuations, and reports of community
conflict and sectarian violence.
AFGHANISTAN & YEMEN WEST AFRICA COUNTRIES IN CONFLICT
Because CMORE leverages
widely available mobile and
web technologies, users can
inconspicuously gather critical
data, which is especially
important in an insecure working
environment.
Data Review Monitoring Plan Training
Host Government
Monitors
Community
Monitors
Technical
Specialists
PHASL l M0NIT0RINu PRLP
PHASL 2 M0NIT0RINu
PHASL 3 QUALITY C0NTR0L & LATA LLITINu
PHASL 5 RLP0RTINu & ANALYSIS
PHASL 4 RLP0RTINu & WLB MAPPINu
A Systematic Approach
Key to CMOREs functionality is a methodology that is
common to many monitoring and reporting initiatives.
Consisting of five phases, this comprehensive process
ensures all relevant information is captured, data and
analysis meet the needs of donors and stakeholders, data
is accurate and robust, and technology and capability are
transferred to host institutions for sustainability.
PHASE 1 MONITORING PREPARATION
CMORE supports a range of monitoring and data
collection services to meet any project requirements.
Each service employs a unique set of technologies and
human resources to yield data that varies in quantity and
specificity (Phase 2, right). During the preparation phase,
IRD works with its clients to determine which of these
services (employed separately or successively) is needed
to produce data that meets their monitoring or surveying
objectives. After populating the CMORE database with
information relevant to the clients monitoring targets,
IRD determines the appropriate monitoring instrument
(smartphone or mobile phone) and develops a plan that
dictates field staff organization. IRD also works directly
with stakeholders and partners, such as NGOs, host
government ministries, and impacted communities to
provide necessary training.
PHASE 2 MONITORING
IRD and trained partners conduct monitoring activities
at project sites using CMORE mobile tools according
to the plans developed during Phase 1. For example,
community members use SMS messaging to record
general observations of projects in their area. This service
provides large quantities of data that can be targeted to
specific groups of projects. For more precise information,
trained host government monitors conduct inspections
using digital forms programmed on smartphones.
This service is also designed to strengthen the host
governments capacity to monitor technical projects.
Technical specialists use the same data collection
methods to gather in-depth, highly technical information.
This service produces data that is most useful in meeting
specific monitoring or surveying goals.
THE CMORE PROCESS
PHASE 3 QUALITY CONTROL & DATA EDITING
IRDs methodology includes a verification phase during
which incoming information enters the CMORE workflow
and passes through a series of quality control reviews.
While all verification activities look for accuracy and
completeness of information, specific reviews can
include verification of geographic information using
satellite imagery or verification of technical information
by highly skilled technical experts.
PHASE 4 REPORTING & WEB MAPPING
Once verified, information is published in an online
database and mapping application. This application acts
as a searchable catalogue that geospatially displays data
and is accessible to anyone with an internet connection.
PHASE 5 REPORTING & ANALYSIS
IRDs subject matter experts provide donors and
governments with monthly inspection reports as well
as comprehensive analysis of identified patterns and
recommended actions. These reports allow clients to ask
specific questions regarding IRDs findings, identify and
address gaps, ensure appropriate recommended actions
are taken, and incrementally improve implementation of
existing programs. The information also provides useful
input for the design of future, related programs.
ILLUSTRATIVE CMORE CAPABILITIES
The images below help illustrate how CMORE
might be used to support diverse monitoring
and reporting needs across a variety of
program sectors and locations.
Medical facility inspection or impact
assessment of health investments
in Ukraine.
Collection of school attendance and
demographic patterns in Indonesia.
Elections monitoring, assessment of
civil society activities, and opinion
polls of government services in Iraq.
This comprehensive process
ensures all relevant information
is captured, data and analysis
meet the needs of donors and
stakeholders, data is accurate
and robust, and technology and
capability are transferred to host
institutions for sustainability.
Mobile data collection enables
quick, inconspicuous recording of
project information in insecure
environments; web mapping with
development indicators helps
identify important trends; and
complex project surveys converted
to digital checklists reduce human
error and increase processing speed.
Tools for Collecting, Processing
& Analyzing Project Data
The CMORE platform comprises a suite of mobile and
cloud-based applications that allow users to rapidly,
accurately, and cost-effectively collect, process, and
analyze project data. Used separately, each of its seven
components enhances traditional survey methods.
For example, mobile data collection enables quick,
inconspicuous recording of project information in
insecure environments; web mapping with development
indicators helps identify important trends; and complex
project surveys converted to digital checklists reduce
human error and increase processing speed. Together,
they form a comprehensive workflow process wherein
large amounts of field data are pulled from the cloud
and pushed through a quality control process before
being digitally published on a web-based interface that
displays data geographically for analysis.
THE CMORE PLATFORM
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WORKFORCE MANAGEMENT
Large monitoring or survey initiatives often require
hundreds of field staff or community members to
collect data. Supervisors rely on CMOREs workforce
management applications to wirelessly assign
monitoring missions to field data collectors and
community-based monitors. This helps guide users to
their surveying location and provides supervisors the
benefit of real-time information on field staff activities.
WORKFLOW MANAGEMENT
Workflow management ensures that collected data is
accounted for and reviewed as it moves through the
workflow process. Shortly after data is captured in
the field, it enters the CMORE workflow process and
is pushed through a prescribed series of review steps
involving subject matter experts. Once data has cleared
those steps it is automatically sent to the web mapping
module for publishing.
DATA CAPTURE & TRANSFER
Monitors capture project information using smartphones
or mobile phones and transfer the data over cellular
networks or the Internet. Applications developed for
Android smartphones support digital inspection forms
in any language. The forms replace paper-based surveys
with a series of interactive screens that include push-
button queries, voice, photo, and GPRS data capture.
Mobile phone data capture allows CMORE to filter and
target information through SMS messages transmitted
over cellular networks. It can take the form of question-
response SMS messages, solicited SMS comments, and
voice response to automated spoken questionnaires.
CMORE pulls all of this information from the cloud
and pushes it through a quality control process before
digitally publishing it on a web-based interface that
displays data geographically for analysis.
QUALITY CONTROL & DATA EDITING
Data accuracy and completeness are key to meeting
monitoring or surveying objectives. The CMORE
workflow includes a series of quality control and data
editing tasks intended to catch errors before inputs
are published. All incoming data, including location,
spreadsheets, and photos, are verified by subject matter
experts. Any questionable data is referred back to the
field engineer or IRDs internal quality control team for
review and editing. Even highly specialized information
such as building standards or location coordinates is
verified through the workflow process using outside
references such as blueprints, specifications, and
satellite imagery. The quality control and editing
process allows several users at a time to clean data as
inputs progress through the workflow.
Start New Form (6)
Connue Saved Form (1)
Send Finished Data (1)
Manage Forms and Data
Star Sta t N t N
Con n Co nu nu
Send
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TYPE OF SCHOOL
Primary
Secondary
High School
Darululum
ISD/PED
Madrassa
TED/TCC
School Teaching Hours
Start
Finish
School Locaon Suitable
for Female Resons
Select all that apply
Too far from village
Lack of facilies
Security
No boundary wall
Gender of teachers
DIGITAL INSPECTION FORMS
Prior to the availability of programmable
smart phones, site inspections were
conducted using pen and paper, digital
cameras, and GPS devices. CMORE has
simplified field data collection with
applications developed for Android
smartphones. The applications support
interactive digital inspection forms
that include push-button queries, voice,
photo, and GPRS data capture.
All incoming data, including location,
spreadsheets, and photos, are
verified by subject matter experts.
Any questionable data is referred
back to the field engineer or IRDs
internal quality control team for
review and editing.
WEB MAPPING
A feature of the CMORE database is a web map that
includes foundation data, such as political boundaries
and geographic information. Each entry contains
a library of supporting materials such as photos,
inspection reports, and voice recordings. The online map
and database, whether secure or public, follow a format
similar to Google Earth, with the ability to add or subtract
as well as turn on and off detailed layers to create
customized displays.
REPORTING & ANALYSIS
CMORE data can be exported into commonly used
formats for outside analysis or reporting. Report content
and the aim of analytical queries are customized
depending on the monitoring or surveying goal and
project type through an iterative process with donors
and stakeholders. Once data is published, CMORE creates
reports and runs analytics, comparing data across a
variety of features such as location, time, and project
type, informing donors and stakeholders of important
trends among their target populations.
DATA ACCESS & COLLABORATION
A key principle of the CMORE system is open access and
data sharing. Monitoring and survey information can be
accessed by all stakeholders, including local government
actors, community groups, and NGOs. State-of-the-art
security features enable CMORE to display detailed
information to approved users, while aggregated data
without sensitive project details can be provided to a
general audience. Furthermore, CMORE is populated
REPORTS & ANALYTICS
With a vast amount of field data collected and
verified, IRDs subject matter experts can provide
donors and governments with monthly inspection
reports. These reports compare data across a variety
of features such as location, time, and project type,
informing donors and stakeholders of important
trends and allowing them to address gaps and
improve implementation of existing programs.
with independently collected inputs and data sourced
through exchange with other actors for a comprehensive
picture of all existing data prior to each assignment.
IRDs mission is to reduce the suffering of the worlds most
vulnerable groups and provide the tools and resources
needed to increase their self-sufciency.
INTERNATIONAL RELIEF & DEVELOPMENT | 1621 NORTH KENT STREET, 4TH FLOOR | ARLINGTON, VA 22209
T 703.248.0161 | F 703.248.0194 | WWW.IRD.ORG
Partnering with IRD
Whether you require more sophisticated project data visualization, improved data collection and transmission, or
simply a more effective approach to managing field staff, CMORE can be tailored to support your unique monitoring and
reporting needs, and will strengthen the overall implementation of your development investments. If you are interested
in these services, IRD has the necessary experience to help partners incrementally and cost-effectively design and
implement value-adding field monitoring services:
Assessment: IRD staff visit your project sites to conduct a brief assessment using CMORE to demonstrate its ease of
application and use.
Pilot: Short-term pilot programs are designed to provide targeted monitoring on critical projects and help determine
whether or not long-term monitoring is necessary.
Program: Long-term monitoring programs in fragile, conflict prone countries covering third party monitoring as well as
government and community monitoring capacity development.
For more information, contact Ben Morrison (amorrison@ird.org).