How to Build M&E Systems to Support Better Government Governments in a number of developing countries are devoting considerable efforts to strengthen their monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems and capacities. They are doing this to improve their performance ― by establishing evidence-based policy-making and budget decision-making, evidence-based management, and evidence-based accountability. This publication is a synthesis of IEG's considerable experience on this topic. Spanish Version |NEW French Version NEW Bahasa Version

A Diagnosis of Colombia’s National M&E System, SINERGIA provides in-depth information on the genesis, development and current status ― strengths, weaknesses and options for the future ― of one of the most advanced M&E systems in Latin America. Spanish Version |NEW French Version

Impact Evaluation -- The Experience of the Independent Evaluation Group of the World Bank This paper discusses various methodological issues to consider when conducting an impact evaluation, and it argues for a mixed-methods approach which combines quantitative rigor with well-contextualized studies -- in particular using a theory-based evaluation design. A number of examples of impact evaluations conducted by the Independent Evaluation Group are presented to illustrate these issues.

Conducting Quality Impact Evaluations Under Budget, Time and Data Constraints This booklet has been written for project and program managers who wish to conduct a rigorous impact evaluation, to help them select the most rigorous methods available within the constraints they face. Spanish version

Experience with Institutionalizing Monitoring and Evaluation Systems In Five Latin American Countries: Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica and Uruguay This paper provides a comparative analysis and taxonomy of five countries which have sought to institutionalize government-wide M&E systems. NEW Spanish version

Towards the Institutionalization of M&E Systems in Latin America and the Caribbean These conference proceedings focus on the experience of good-practice or promising countries, including Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Brazil. Spanish version

Institutionalization of Monitoring and Evaluation Systems to Improve Public Sector Management This paper reviews the growing body of experience in this topic in a range of countries, and identifies various success factors and mistakes to avoid. Spanish version

Evaluation Capacity Development in the Republic of Ireland This paper analyses the key drivers of, and barriers to, the institutionalization of M&E in the Irish government.

Influential Evaluations: Evaluations that Improved Performance and Impacts of Development Programs This OED study presents examples of 8 evaluations that had a significant impact. For many of them, it has been possible to compare their costs with the benefits which they provided, and to show that the evaluation was a highly cost-effective management tool. Arabic version; French version; Portuguese version; Russian version; Spanish version

Influential Evaluations: Detailed Case Studies This companion volume discusses 8 case studies in depth. It presents key lessons about how to design evaluations which are influential.

Building Country Capacity for M&E in the Public Sector: Selected Lessons of International Experience This paper presents the findings from two in-depth case studies (Uganda, Egypt), and from the growing literature on country experiences.

Evaluation Capacity Development: OED Self-Evaluation This report describes OED's work to help countries strengthen their monitoring and evaluation systems. It assesses the scope, results, quality, strengths and weaknesses of this ECD work.

Second Edition. A thumbnail sketch of various types of M&E is provided in Monitoring and Evaluation: Some Tools, Methods and Approaches. This includes: their purpose and use; advantages and limitations; costs, skills and time required; and key references. Arabic version; French version; Portuguese version; Russian version; Spanish version

An Assessment of the Impact of Bangalore Citizen Report Cards on the Performance of Public Agencies This OED review finds that report cards have had a significant impact on the quality of public services in Bangalore. The review identifies success factors and considers the reliability of the report card approach elsewhere.

Two Generations of Performance Evaluation and Management Systems in Australia contrasts a successful, centrally-driven system of performance evaluation with the later less-successful, devolved system which focuses on the collection and reporting of performance information.

The Development of Monitoring and Evaluation Capacities to Improve Government Performance in Uganda focuses on the large number of M&E systems which currently exist, and the need both to simplify them and to focus more on issues of development effectiveness. This paper provides an update on the detailed diagnosis prepared for Uganda in 2001. French version;  Spanish version

The history of OED's involvement in ECD and the nature of its catalytic support for ECD is discussed in chapter 11 of OED: The First 30 Years.

OED's 2002 Annual Report on ECD (AREC) clarifies the meaning and relevance of Bank work on ECD, lays the methodological foundations for subsequent evaluations of the Bank’s ECD work, and presents an inventory of ECD activities under way across the Bank, with special attention to country-level activities. A Precis of this report is also available. (French version; Spanish version).

The DAC Working Party on Aid Evaluation has prepared a Glossary of Key Terms in Evaluation and Results Based Management to clarify concepts and help reduce terminological confusion. The terms are presented in English, Chinese, French, Italian, Japanese, Portuguese, Russian, and Spanish.

Developing African Capacity for Monitoring and Evaluation reports on a seminar and workshop held in Johannesburg in September 2000. It outlines recent progress and the latest thinking about M&E in the African and donor evaluation communities. A Precis of this seminar is also available. (French version) (Spanish version)

Guide For Reviewing Organizations Providing M&E Training provides a list of key issues to consider when assessing the ability of national bodies such as universities and civil service colleges to provide M&E training.

Assessment of Ghanaian Organizations Which Provide M&E Training is the first application of the new Guide. It includes an assessment of five principal Ghanaian training organizations.

Strengthening Capacity for Monitoring and Evaluation in Uganda: A Results Based Management Perspective  is an example of the application of the ECD diagnostic guide. It provides a detailed diagnosis of M&E capacities and discusses options to strengthen them.(French version; Spanish version)

A Diagnostic Guide and Action Framework presents a detailed list of issues to consider when assessing the readiness of a country to develop its M&E functions.  A menu of ECD options is presented, together with the key demand and supply factors to consider when designing an action plan (French version) (Spanish version)

The Role of Civil Society in Assessing Public Sector Performance in Ghana reports on the proceedings of a one-day workshop to examine the role that civil society wants to play in assessing public sector performance in Ghana, the main impediments to playing this role, and priority steps for strengthening civil society engagement in this area.

Comparative Insights from Colombia, China, and Indonesia identifies key factors which have influenced the institutionalization of M&E in these countries (French version).

Public Sector Performance--the Critical Role of Evaluation is the proceedings of an April 1998 World Bank seminar which identified success factors, the experience of several developing and developed countries--Chile, Indonesia, Zimbabwe, Australia and Canada-- and of donors providing support for ECD.

Evaluation Capacity Development in Asia reports on a conference held in Beijing in October 1999. The links between M&E and results-based management are one of the many topics addressed.

Sub-Saharan Africa: Lessons from Experience in Supporting Sound Governance outlines the links and synergies between ECD and sound governance, including transparency and accountability--via provision of information on the efficiency, effectiveness and quality of government services.  Pressures from civil society, the media, parliament and donors for a greater focus on government performance can help foster more of a results orientation with government.

Evaluation Capacity Development in Africa is the proceedings of a joint World Bank/African Development Bank seminar held in Abidjan in November 1998.  Donor experience and country challenges in Africa are presented.  A Precis of this seminar is also available (French version)

Lessons from National Experience discusses the factors underlying successful efforts to build M&E functions in governments.  Implications for donor support are identified.

Zimbabwe: Issues and Opportunities looks at the constraints and potential for ECD

The Development of Australia´s Evaluation System looks at the success factors and impediments in that country, which is often regarded as having had the most systematic and comprehensive approach to evaluation of any developed country.