Dan Cheseret - FieldOps Africa Blog (Page 2)

Editorial comparison of KoboToolbox and ODK Central showing mobile data collection, centralized deployment, and a workflow from planning to operational intelligence.

ODK

ODK Central vs KoboToolbox: Which Platform Is Better for Development Programmes?

ODK Central and KoboToolbox are two of the most widely used open-source data collection platforms. This guide compares their strengths, ideal use cases and explains when organisations need to think beyond data collection.

Editorial illustration comparing Excel spreadsheets with a connected monitoring workflow from planning and field visits to review, findings, corrective actions and dashboards.

Monitoring & Evaluation(M&E)

Excel Isn't Your Monitoring System: Why Growing Programmes Eventually Outgrow Spreadsheets

Excel remains one of the most valuable tools for monitoring and reporting. But as development programmes grow, spreadsheets struggle to manage field visits, approvals, findings and corrective actions. Learn when Excel is enough—and when it's time to strengthen your operational workflow.

Comparison of KoboToolbox, ODK Central, SurveyCTO, CommCare, DHIS2 and FieldOps for monitoring and evaluation in NGOs and development programmes.

Monitoring & Evaluation(M&E)

The Best Monitoring & Evaluation Software for NGOs and Development Programmes (2026)

Choosing monitoring and evaluation software isn't about finding the platform with the most features. Learn which tools are best for data collection, health systems, research and operational intelligence, and how to choose the right platform for your organisation.

KoboToolbox

KoboToolbox Isn't the Problem - Your Operational Workflow Is

KoboToolbox is one of the best data collection platforms available. But as development programmes grow, they often need structured review workflows, findings, corrective actions and operational intelligence beyond data collection.

Illustration of a field officer using a digital monitoring template connected to indicators, GPS locations, photographs and findings.

Field Operations

Designing Better Monitoring Templates: A Practical Guide for Development Programmes

A well-designed monitoring template improves data quality long before reporting begins. Learn practical principles for building templates that help field teams collect consistent, reliable evidence across development programmes.

Field Operations

The Complete Field Operations Lifecycle: From Planning to Corrective Action

Field operations extend far beyond data collection. Discover how leading organisations connect planning, field visits, findings, corrective actions, reporting and continuous learning into one operational lifecycle that improves programme delivery and decision-making

Operational Intelligence

Why Traditional NGO Monitoring Tools Are No Longer Enough

Traditional monitoring tools helped NGOs move from paper to digital forms. But many organisations now need a connected system for field visits, findings, corrective actions, dashboards and donor reporting.

Operational Intelligence

Beyond Data Collection: Why NGOs Need Operational Intelligence

Most NGO technology focuses on collecting data. FieldOps argues that the next step is operational intelligence: turning field data into action, accountability and better programme decisions.