This 25-page handbook is written in a question-and-answer style and is a good starting point in understanding M&E. It provides an overview of some of the basic questions of project monitoring and evaluation and outlines M&E tools, methods, and approaches, along with the skills, cost, and time required for each.
Good for: help understanding basic M&E concepts; quick overview and comparison of M&E methods; for beginners.
This guide provides a coherent overview to both beginners as well as those who are more experienced in M&E. It explains the key aspects of M&E in an easy-to-understand format, through examples and illustrations. It also includes links to resources and approaches and a range of templates and checklists, along with tips and guidance for every step of the M&E process.
Good for: this easy to understand how-to guide is good for both beginners and those who are more experienced; examples from the areas of energy, sustainable development, and environment.
This guide by the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC) places the emphasis on establishing and implementing a monitoring and related reporting system. It explains the general M&E concepts and considerations, but also describes in detail the six key interconnected steps for project/ programme M&E. It includes a range of tools, checklists and links to other resources, as well as a list of common M&E terms and their definitions. Although designed for use at the country level, the basic principles can be applied to projects/programmes at other levels. In addition to English, the guide is also available in Spanish, French, and Russian.
Good for: both beginners as well as those who are more experienced; available in multiple languages: Spanish, French, and Russian, adaptable to different contexts; comprehensive but accessible content.
This guide has become a go-to resource for results-based management. It presents “a comprehensive ten-step model that helps development practitioners through the process of planning, designing, and implementing a results-based monitoring and evaluation system.” Along with the detailed description of the steps, it also provides tools that can help complete the steps, beginning with a Readiness Assessment, all the way through to the design, management, and, importantly, the sustainability of the M&E system.
Good for: managing for results; results-based management in detail; how to design and construct a results-based M&E system in the public sector; targeted more towards national, government agencies than smaller civil society organizations; how M&E can be used for good public management.
This resource book outlines 12 components of a functional and sustainable M&E system, with both conceptual background information and practical advice that can be tailored to different organizational contexts. The chapters and each of the 12 components – which include a range of examples, templates and checklists – can be used for self-study or in a formal teaching environment for capacity building.
Good for: M&E capacity development; can be tailored to different types of organizations.
This publication provides insight into what adaptive management is, when and why it may be appropriate, and what may be required for organisations to adopt adaptive approaches.
Good for: more flexible, exploratory approaches to planning and M&E for real-time analysis and course-correction; civil society organizations (CSOs) and funders.
Organisational learning is widely accepted as an essential process, enabling the understanding of what does or doesn’t work, and thereby improving project performance. These two INTRAC papers help outline the ways M&E and learning are connected, as well as how M&E systems need to be designed to support learning instead of only demonstrating accountability or raising funds.
Good for: connecting learning with M&E; help civil society organizations (CSOs) learn and course correct using M&E.
A learning agenda outlines key learning questions and activities that can help address the critical knowledge gaps on design and implementation. A basic process for a learning agenda includes three key steps, understanding the context, developing and prioritizing learning questions, and planning learning activities. This resource by USAID provides guidance on how to carry out these three steps and includes an editable PDF Learning Agenda template.
Good for: creating a learning agenda; designing learning questions; planning learning activities.