Establishing a structured monitoring system ensures that agencies consistently oversee grants and sub-recipients according to defined policies. It outlines what to monitor, how to monitor, and when to apply varying levels of oversight based on risk and compliance factors.
Key Insights
- Monitoring systems define clear procedures for evaluating internally managed grants and sub-recipients, with guidelines on activity levels and application timing.
- Effective monitoring includes adherence to applicable laws, use of approved tools, and proactive identification of common issues.
- Monitoring supports risk assessment and enables tailored technical assistance through training or internal and external resources.
This lesson is a preview from our Grants Management Certificate Program. Enroll in a course for detailed lessons, live instructor support, and project-based training.
Monitoring is a formal set of steps and activities defined in an agency organization's policy. It tells staff what to monitor with respect to internally managed grants and sub-recipients. It provides options for how to monitor, including various levels of monitoring activities and criteria, and when to use each level.
The elements of an effective monitoring system are applicable laws and regulations, types of monitoring tools and activities to be used, and the most common types of problems encountered are pre-identified. Programs and awards administered are effectively monitored on a consistent interim basis. Monitoring identifies assistance options and opportunities to offer technical assistance.
This can be through training, internal, or external. Monitoring ultimately and always consistently is used to identify risk during the post-award execution of a grant.