Data Managers from “Performance Monitoring and Accountability 2020” (PMA2020) project countries convened at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in Baltimore, MD for a nine-day intensive workshop. Attendees included in-country data managers and staff from Ethiopia, Ghana, Indonesia, Kenya, Kinshasa/DRC, Nigeria and Uganda. This article summarizes the PMA2020 Bootcamp activities by incorporating perspectives from the participants.
The workshop centered on three key components: survey tools and design, statistical analysis, and coding of the software used to collect PMA2020 data. Participants were provided an in-depth look at how PMA2020 works from survey design, to staff recruitment, training, data collection and analysis and dissemination of results.
The Bootcamp focused on hands-on exercises that aimed to simulate routine and challenging scenarios. Data managers were required to create mock survey questionnaires on their mobile devices and run varied statistical analysis using dummy datasets.
The PMA2020 Bootcamp packed in full day long sessions, all nine days of the training and while facilitators worried that the intensive training may have drained our participants, they left the training feeling better equipped to carry out their work.
Below are some of their perspectives on the training.
“The progress of IT in collecting data as the same as PMA2020 that I have been to do, makes me more interested to understand about PMA2020….The participants get so much information for PMA2020
Uniek M. Sari, member of the PMA2020/Indonesia team
“The training has equipped me with the best cutting-edge knowledge and skills to control and assure PMA2020/Ethiopia data quality emanating from subsequent rounds... It was also a nice opportunity that I have met with other PMA2020 program country participants notably data managers and shared our experiences from first & second rounds and other work experience.”
Ayanaw Amogne Ayele, Data Manager, PMA2020/Ethiopia
“I count myself lucky to have attended the summer Boot camp! I acquired firsthand knowledge in survey and design sampling. It was a rare combination to get enthusiastic tutors who are knowledgeable and practical… I returned home with a lot of new information and knowledge on how to analyze, report and present data…I learned a lot and received a lot of inspiration and aspirations that I will put into practice while implementing PMA2020 back in my country.”
Mary Thiongo, Data Manager, PMA2020/Kenya
“I came out a lot better than I went in. Every day might not [have been] fun due to [the] hardships of studying STATA and Open Data Kit, but the two weeks of [the] Bootcamp experience remain among the happiest of my life.”
Nur Jaeni, Master Trainer, PMA2020/Indonesia
We would like to thank all the participants who were able to attend the Bootcamp and to the facilitators and organizers of the event.