Monitoring, evaluation & learning

Start with the decision you need to make.

Build monitoring, evaluation, research and learning around the decisions a programme needs to make. Descriptive can scope results frameworks, baseline and endline studies, programme reviews and evaluations that explain progress, implementation and the questions that remain.

This service is for programme managers, NGOs, donors, public institutions and development organizations.

Questions the assignment can address

• Is the intervention addressing the intended need?
• What has been delivered, for whom and under what conditions?
• Which explanations are supported by the evidence?
• What should continue, change or be investigated further?

How we approach the work

Start with the theory of change, evaluation purpose and intended users. Build an evaluation matrix linking each question to evidence, methods and limitations. Use the OECD-DAC criteria where relevant to the purpose rather than treating every criterion as compulsory. Combine evidence streams and document conflicting findings.

Monitoring tracks implementation and results; evaluation investigates their meaning and merit. Impact evaluation asks an additional causal question and needs a design capable of answering it. We clarify which kind of evidence the assignment can produce before agreeing the scope, budget and claims that the final report may make.

What your team receives

The scope defines the exact output, format and review criteria for each deliverable. Depending on the assignment, these can include:

• Theory of change or results framework
• Evaluation matrix and inception report
• Indicator definitions and data collection tools
• Analysis and evidence tables
• Evaluation report and learning workshop

From brief to delivery

Share the requirement, intended users, existing information, deadline and any procurement instructions. We clarify the decision the work must support and agree the methodology or technical approach before execution. The proposal sets out the scope, workplan, review points, responsibilities and commercial terms.

During delivery, questions and dependencies are made visible so your team can resolve the decisions that need client input. Quality checks are built into the assignment rather than saved for a final presentation. Handover explains how to use the outputs, the limitations that remain and any support included in the engagement.

Planning an international assignment

For work spanning countries or distributed teams, agree the geographic scope, working language, collaboration hours and access requirements at the outset. Research recruitment, local field access, hosting locations and data-transfer arrangements may affect the delivery plan. These are confirmed for the assignment; the availability of a service page does not imply a physical office in every market.

What to send with your enquiry

• The problem, intended decision and people who will use the output.
• Existing reports, instruments, datasets or system documentation that can be shared appropriately.
• Required deliverables, formats, deadline and review process.
• Location, languages, data-access constraints and procurement requirements.
• A budget range, if available, and whether support after handover is required.