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    MEL Module - Slide Deck

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    Piney Martin
    This document provides an overview of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for organizations working with USAID. It discusses why MEL is important to support effective implementation, accountability, and decision-making. The key elements of a strong MEL system include developing indicators to track progress, ensuring high quality data, conducting evaluations to assess outcomes, and applying lessons learned to continuously improve programming. The document provides guidance on what to include in a MEL plan and how to establish processes and allocate staffing to support MEL activities.

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    MEL Module - Slide Deck

    Uploaded by

    Piney Martin
    29 views28 pages
    This document provides an overview of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for organizations working with USAID. It discusses why MEL is important to support effective implementation, accountability, and decision-making. The key elements of a strong MEL system include developing indicators to track progress, ensuring high quality data, conducting evaluations to assess outcomes, and applying lessons learned to continuously improve programming. The document provides guidance on what to include in a MEL plan and how to establish processes and allocate staffing to support MEL activities.

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    This document provides an overview of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for organizations working with USAID. It discusses why MEL is important to support effective implementation, accountability, and decision-making. The key elements of a strong MEL system include developing indicators to track progress, ensuring high quality data, conducting evaluations to assess outcomes, and applying lessons learned to continuously improve programming. The document provides guidance on what to include in a MEL plan and how to establish processes and allocate staffing to support MEL activities.

    Copyright:

    © All Rights Reserved
    Download as PDF, TXT or read online from Scribd
    Download as pdf or txt
    29 views28 pages

    MEL Module - Slide Deck

    Uploaded by

    Piney Martin
    This document provides an overview of monitoring, evaluation, and learning (MEL) for organizations working with USAID. It discusses why MEL is important to support effective implementation, accountability, and decision-making. The key elements of a strong MEL system include developing indicators to track progress, ensuring high quality data, conducting evaluations to assess outcomes, and applying lessons learned to continuously improve programming. The document provides guidance on what to include in a MEL plan and how to establish processes and allocate staffing to support MEL activities.

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    of 28

    MONITORING, EVALUATION,

    AND LEARNING
    “How to Work with USAID” Training Series

    Visit WorkwithUSAID.org to learn more.


    LEARNING OBJECTIVES

    ● Review how your MEL


    system informs your activities and
    supports USAID.
    ● Discover how MEL relates to
    effective activity management.
    ● Determine the key elements to
    include in your MEL plan.
    ● Develop best practices for a strong
    tracking process.
    WHY MEL IS IMPORTANT
    Strong MEL facilitates effective implementation by:
    ● Systematically collecting and analyzing information to
    support evidence-based decision-making; and
    ● Generating learning to inform the adaptation of an activity
    based on evidence.

    It also helps you maintain accountability by:


    ● Ensuring compliance with USAID policies and federal
    regulations;
    ● Promoting transparency and accountability; and
    ● Providing a basis for sound documentation and reporting.
    SUPPORTS IMPLEMENTATION & DECISION-MAKING
    Once an activity is awarded, the partner develops a MEL plan to assess progress toward the
    program’s objectives.

    ● Monitoring data helps USAID and its partners understand whether the activity is on track
    or adjustments are needed.
    ● Evaluations answer key questions related to the implementation or outcomes of the
    activity.
    ● Learning means analyzing a variety of information to inform possible adaptations needed
    to achieve programmatic objectives.
    FACILITATES LEARNING TO IMPROVE ACTIVITY

    Apply lessons learned to:


    ● Streamline processes;
    ● More efficiently collect, analyze, and use data
    and other information;
    ● Engage regional actors to understand results
    from a local perspective;
    ● Adjust reporting processes; and
    ● Adapt your programming to enhance its
    effectiveness.
    ENSURES COMPLIANCE

    Being compliant means that the implementation


    of your activity follows USAID policies and
    standard practices.
    With a strong MEL plan, you can deliver evidence
    that you are fulfilling key management
    requirements and meeting objectives.
    PROMOTES
    ACCOUNTABILITY

    Your MEL system’s data can confirm that you are


    following proper management practices and using
    resources as intended.
    Your MEL plan also helps you establish effective
    procedures for collecting and adapting to feedback
    from beneficiaries.
    SUPPORTS
    PROGRESS
    REPORTING
    Good MEL practices help you document results
    in progress reports to USAID.

    Work with your Agreement Officer’s


    Representative (AOR) or Contracting Officer’s
    Representative (COR) to determine what
    information you should report.

    Find details on the reporting process at USAID’s


    “Preparing Progress Reports” module.
    MEL REQUIREMENTS
    REVIEW
    EXPECTATIONS

    ● Develop your MEL plan within


    90 days of signing a USAID award
    agreement.
    ● Update the plan as programming needs
    or operating conditions change.

    You need an approved MEL plan in place before you implement


    any major aspects of your activity.
    ACTIVITY MANAGEMENT CYCLE
    YOUR MEL PLAN: WHAT TO INCLUDE

    1. Explain your activity and goals in a summary.


    2. Detail how you will measure the success of your activity.
    3. Outline how you will collect, monitor, and maintain data and other
    information.
    4. Describe how you will use this information to learn and adapt your
    programming.

    Find a guide to content in USAID’s How-To Note: Activity MEL Plan.


    BASE YOUR MEL PLAN ON ACTIVITY DESIGN

    Your MEL system will be based on your activity design.


    Consider these questions to develop and manage a more effective MEL system:
    ● What is the goal of your activity?
    ● What kinds of data and other information will help you determine
    effectiveness?
    ● How will you document your results?
    ● How will your team make adjustments and changes based on this
    information?
    KEY ELEMENTS: MONITORING

    Your MEL plan should describe the expected results


    and the indicators you will use to track your progress.
    ● Performance Indicators help answer the extent
    to which an activity is progressing.
    ● Standard Foreign Assistance Indicators are
    collected by Agency partners across activities.
    ● Context Indicators measure factors outside the
    control of USAID that have the potential to affect
    the achievement of expected results.
    PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

    Include a tracking table to describe each performance indicator and how you will collect data.

    ● Begin by gathering baseline data, or information related to each indicator immediately


    prior to the start of your interventions.

    Detail how you will monitor the quantity, quality, and timeliness of outputs and outcomes.

    ● Outputs are short-term and direct results. An example would be the number of farmers
    trained in production practices. This change can be directly attributed to your work.

    ● Outcomes are longer-term, more gradual changes that you may influence but do not
    directly control. An example would be improved crop yields based on the use of new
    farming technology.
    TYPES OF DATA

    Your activity’s MEL system should generate two types of data:

    ● Quantitative data is represented in the form of numbers, such as workshop


    participation rates or number of households reached.

    ● Qualitative data is in the form of words and pictures. It includes feedback such
    as stakeholder interviews and staff insights about activities.

    When handling data tied to personal identifiable information, ensure


    confidentiality through secure data storage and access controls.
    ENSURE DATA QUALITY
    Use the following criteria to ensure data quality:

    ● Validity: Data should clearly represent the intended result.


    ● Integrity: There should be safeguards to minimize the risk of bias, errors, or data
    manipulation.
    ● Precision: Data should have a sufficient level of detail to inform decision-making.
    ● Reliability: Data should reflect stable, consistent collection and analysis methods.
    ● Timeliness: Data should be current, available often, and timely enough to inform decisions.

    Work with your AOR/COR to determine whether and when USAID will conduct a data quality
    assessment.

    Use USAID’s guide to Conduct a Data Quality Assessment.


    KEY ELEMENTS:
    EVALUATION

    ● An evaluation generates information on the


    extent to which an activity is being implemented
    as planned and achieving desired results.
    ● It provides information for long-term planning
    and decision-making.

    Evaluations are posted to the Development Experience Clearinghouse.


    KEY ELEMENTS:
    LEARNING

    Improve the effectiveness of your activity by


    incorporating the collaborating, learning, and
    adapting (CLA) process:

    ● Collaborate with the right partners;


    ● Plan to learn by asking questions; and
    ● Prepare to adapt.

    Learn more at USAID’s Learning Lab.


    MEL PERSONNEL AND PROCESS
    STAFF AND SKILL SETS
    You will need to devote staff time to:
    ● Manage the overall MEL approach for your
    USAID award.
    ● Coordinate the actions, from design to
    evaluation, that make up your MEL system.
    ● Ensure data are properly organized, entered
    accurately, and stored securely.
    ● Incorporate CLA practices across the full
    activity management cycle.
    TIME MANAGEMENT

    Plan for success by scheduling enough time to:


    ● Collect, review, and analyze the data and consider
    how it reflects on the implementation of your
    activity;
    ● Involve relevant staff early to create a coherent
    progress report from different aspects of your
    program; and
    ● Allow your organization’s leadership to review and
    approve the report before submission to USAID.
    TELL YOUR
    ACTIVITY’S STORY

    Successful program stories are important


    communication tools to share your work with
    donors, stakeholders, and the public.
    ● A strong MEL system offers evidence and
    examples that convey your activity’s
    impact.
    ● Work with your AOR/COR to identify
    opportunities to promote the efforts of
    your organization and the Agency.
    KEY POINTS

    ● Develop indicators to monitor progress and measure the direct


    results of your work.
    ● Confirm the quality of your data so that decisions and progress
    reports are based on accurate information.
    ● Be prepared to support and collaborate with external
    evaluators commissioned by USAID.
    ● Use the CLA approach to continue to adapt your activity so it
    remains relevant and effective.
    ● When preparing progress reports, give your team time to
    collect and analyze data and consider lessons learned.
    RESOURCES
    ● USAID Evaluation and Monitoring Terms (PDF) ● Training modules at WorkwithUSAID.org:

    ● Learning Labs: ○ “Preparing Progress Reports”

    ○ MEL Plan Template ● How-To Notes:

    ○ Evaluation Toolkit ○ Activity Monitoring, Evaluation


    & Learning (MEL) Plan (PDF)
    ○ Monitoring Toolkit
    ○ Conduct a Data Quality Assessment (PDF)
    ○ CLA Toolkit
    ● Development Experience Clearinghouse
    ● USAID Compliance Division

    ● ADS 201: Monitoring (201.3.5), Learning (201.3.6),


    and CLA (201.3.7)

    Questions? Ask your AOR/COR.


    Thank You
    This module was produced by the United States Agency for International Development.
    The presentation team includes staff from both USAID and the Partnerships Incubator.

    USAID thanks all of the individuals who contributed their time and ideas toward the
    development of this training module.

    Email questions and feedback: IndustryLiaison@usaid.gov

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