Propuesta de guía para la integración de metodologías ágiles y tradicionales en la gestión de proyectos humanitarios: enfoque en la etapa de monitoreo y evaluación

Abstract

This project focuses on strengthening both institutional and community capacities for monitoring, evaluation, and the strategic use of information in humanitarian situations. It was born in response to the operational and methodological difficulties that humanitarian teams face when trying to implement monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems that adapt to emergency, recovery, or transition scenarios, where conditions change rapidly and the availability of reliable data is scarce. In this context, the project proposes a comprehensive methodology that combines a hybrid management approach, integrating elements of traditional and agile methodologies, adapted to the specific needs of the humanitarian project lifecycle. This proposal is embodied in the design of a practical and contextualized methodological guide that organizes M&E tools by phases (planning, monitoring, evaluation, visualization, and learning) and includes ethical, participatory, and strategic criteria for data use. The project development encompassed five main components: -Comparative analysis of project management methodologies (traditional, agile, and hybrid), with a focus on their applicability to humanitarian M&E. -Systematization of practical tools used in each phase of the project cycle, classified according to the type of approach and criteria of utility, adaptability, and ethics. -Exploration of expert perceptions and recommendations through semi-structured interviews with humanitarian sector professionals, both nationally and internationally. -Structured design of the methodological guide, including practical examples, diagrams, and visualizations, with the aim of facilitating the implementation of adaptive and effective M&E systems. -Technical validation of the proposed model, through expert judgment that evaluated the coherence, applicability, usefulness, and strategic value of the developed guide. The proposal was developed based on a rigorous document review and thematic analysis of interviews with experts in the humanitarian sector. It was subsequently subjected to a technical validation process that allowed for substantial improvements based on expert observations. The validation process showed that the guide was well received and allowed for significant improvements thanks to expert feedback. The project's main achievements include the practical organization of tools according to the phases of the M&E cycle, a visual and easy-to-understand methodological model, and the incorporation of strategic principles that facilitate decision-making, accountability, and institutional learning.