Consultancy Work to Develop an Online Monitoring System under the Danida Market Development Programme (DMDP) funded project titled “Increasing Employment by Creating Value from Plastic Waste in Bangladesh.”

Problem

Practical Action Bangladesh, under its “Cities Fit for People” change ambition, launched the DMDP-funded project to create decent jobs and sustainable business models in the plastic waste value chain.

However, the project faced significant challenges in monitoring and managing complex field operations across multiple locations in real time.

The existing manual reporting and data management systems were inefficient for:

• Tracking field-level activities and waste processing operations (e.g., pyrolysis, CRTC, FSTP).
• Aggregating data from multiple stakeholders (project staff, partners, suppliers, recyclers).
• Producing timely reports for management, donors, and government authorities.
• Ensuring data accuracy, transparency, and real-time performance tracking.

A comprehensive, scalable, and digitally integrated monitoring solution was required to centralize data collection, automate reporting, and visualize project progress in real-time.

Solution

3DEVs IT Ltd. partnered with Practical Action Bangladesh to design and develop a Web and Mobile-based Real-Time Monitoring System that empowers administrators, field users, and project managers to manage the entire workflow digitally.

Key Features & Components:

• Web-Based Admin Panel
• Android & iOS Mobile Applications
• Integration & Security

This system was developed with scalability in mind—starting with the DMDP project and designed to expand across all Practical Action projects in Bangladesh.

Challenges

• Complex Multi-Stakeholder Coordination:
  • Aligning requirements from MEL, IT, and field teams across various regions demanded iterative consultation and agile adaptation.
• Data Structure Harmonization:
  • Integrating data from different waste management units (Pyrolysis, CRTC, FSTP, clean cooking) required designing a flexible database architecture.
• Offline Functionality:
  • Ensuring seamless data collection in areas with limited connectivity required robust offline data caching and synchronization mechanisms.
• Security and Access Control:
  • Balancing accessibility with data security and ensuring compliance with Practical Action’s data protection protocols.

Impact

The Real-Time Monitoring System has transformed how Practical Action manages and tracks its waste value chain interventions:

• Increased Efficiency:
  • Field data collection and reporting time reduced by over 70%, ensuring faster decision-making.
• Improved Accountability:
  • Role-based access and audit trails enhanced transparency and traceability across all project levels.
• Data-Driven Decisions:
  • Dynamic dashboards and real-time analytics empower project managers and donors to monitor progress and impact instantly.
• Scalability and Replication:
  • The system serves as a replicable digital model for future Practical Action projects and similar initiatives in other regions.
• Enhanced Sustainability:
  • Supports long-term environmental impact by providing insights into waste processing efficiency, recycling outcomes, and employment generation within the plastic value chain.