Planning & System Architecture
GARTS EA developed a digital platform for organizations in the development space that enables real-time data collection, aggregation, monitoring, and analysis of program and project level goals, outcomes, outputs and activities. The architecture has been designed to meet requirements for a centralized, web-based system that enables automated data aggregation, seamless API integration with existing data sources, real-time monitoring and visualization, secure role-based access control, multi-level data hierarchy, and results tracking. The M&E solution incorporates industry best practices in data management, security, scalability, and user experience, while paying particular attention to the sensitive nature of each individual organization’s work.
System Features
Multi-Project Management: The system provides a centralized platform that helps an organization to create, plan, implement, monitor, and report on multiple projects in parallel, while keeping everything aligned with organizational strategy. The system is dynamic to allow updating of each project’s outputs and activities during the course of implementation.
KPI Tracker: Helps to monitor individual project’s Key Performance Indicators that show whether your organization is meeting its goals. Instead of looking at every single piece of data, you focus on the Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) — the numbers that actually reflect success and Impact.
Form Management: The system provides for creating, digitizing and managing data collection (forms, questionnaires, checklists, surveys), allowing for better oversight, storage, retrieval, and sharing of data across different departments. It ensures that reliable, consistent, and timely data is collected for monitoring indicators and evaluating program performance. The system allows creation of forms taking into account different data types including gps coordinates, photos, Likert scales, numbers, open ended questions, etc.
Budget Tracker: It helps to monitor how financial resources are being allocated and spent in relation to program activities, outputs, and outcomes. It helps link resources (inputs) to results, making sure funds are used efficiently, transparently, and in alignment with project objectives.
Integration Features
Data Integration: The system provides for linkage and integration with existing data collection platforms to allow cross-platform navigation and access to data using API’s. The systems will integrate data from these common platforms that organizations deploy including: Kobo collect toolbox, Google docs, Ona.io, SurveyCTO, Commcare, etc. This ensures any data whether structured or unstructured that is existing within organization archives can be easily digitized and stored in the system for retrieval.
Media: Provision for uploading success stories in audio, video, or image formats.
Reports: Provision for uploading reports with integrated review and approval frameworks across the project administration and user levels. The custom built approval framework allows review and approval of reports from junior to mid-level to senior level roles prior to publishing.
Maps: Visualize data geographically so that stakeholders can understand where activities are happening, where beneficiaries are located, and how results vary across locations.
Feedback and Complaints: The system deploys FCRM to consistently incorporate input from all stakeholders Into decision-making processes that impact the safety, lives, and livelihoods of the project participants. It also provides for anonymous feedback and complaints.
Design & Integration
The solution comprises several components and some of them were programmed, while others implemented on open-source programs. The language implemented was dictated by its purpose and both administrative and user interfaces were designed using Java and JavaScript Progressive Web App (PWA) to communicate with the backend, and PostgreSQL to retrieve, insert, delete, and update the system. The interfaces were developed using react-based libraries, and then the mobile app developed using react native. The front-end design was easily applied to the entire site to assist in the overall navigation and usability of the dashboard. The application allowed for multiple users to login and interact with the dashboard at the same time.
The key system architecture comprised;
- Data Collection Layer (Mobile and offline data collection capabilities)
- Data Storage Layer (Secure central database)
- Processing Layer (Data validation and quality control, Analytics engine for KPI calculation)
- Presentation Layer (Real-time dashboards)
- Security Layer (Access control and authentication, Data encryption, Audit trails)
- Integration Layer (APIs for third-party systems, Data export/import functionality)
Our services
Contact Us
- P.O Box 15583, Nairobi, Kenya
- Email: solutions@gartsafrica.com
- Telephone: +254 758 132 144
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