7.1. Monitoring Implementation of this Strategy will be through annual work plans and budgets. The tasks detailed in the NCS implementation plan will form the basis for preparing annual work plans and budgets. In this regard, the Ministry of Information and Communications Technology and all relevant stakeholders will ensure that annual work plans and budgets are prepared within the framework of the Strategy. Activities of this strategy will be continuously monitored and monthly performance reports will be prepared by all implementing agencies and submitted to MoICT. The Ministry will in turn submit to the National Steering Committee quarterly performance reports highlighting the progress made towards the achievement of key performance indicators (KPIs) in general and quarterly targets. Furthermore, quarterly monitoring exercises will be conducted. Lastly, a comprehensive annual progress report will be produced highlighting the progress made towards achievement of the KPIs in general and annual targets. The purpose of periodic reporting is to account for the resources utilized and output/results. 7.2. Joint Annual Reviews The MICECT in conjunction with other stakeholders shall set the Terms of Reference for the Joint Annual Reviews (JARs). The JARs will start at organizational level, sector and national level in order to allow for wider participation and analysis of implementation bottlenecks. Participation at national level will include representatives from all ICT stakeholders, who will discuss policy recommendations from the organizations as well as sector and achieved Annual Implementation Plan milestones. Emphasis will be placed on challenges being experienced in the achievement of the targets and how these can best be addressed. 7.3. Evaluation Performance evaluation is very important as it helps in objective comparison of actual against expected results and the resultant impact. In a changing environment, some of the key assumptions in the strategy may dramatically change and affect implementation of the set outcome targets. It is in the course of evaluation that the effects of such changes will be determined and appropriate corrective action taken. The evaluations, therefore, will assess the relevance of the strategic goals and objectives, efficiency and effectiveness of the strategies, assumptions, the strengths and weaknesses in the implementation of the NCS. 27