What does M&E mean in UNITED NATIONS

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) is a process used to track the progress of a project, program, or policy towards a desired outcome. It involves collecting data on activities as they are carried out and analysing that data to determine how far the project has progressed toward its goals. The ultimate goal of M&E is to ensure that projects meet their objectives and create tangible benefits for the people they are intended to benefit.

The main goals of Monitoring and Evaluation are to assess performance, take corrective action where necessary, verify if objectives have been achieved, inform decision-making about ongoing programmes/projects, identify successes and failures, ensure accountability/transparency in resource use, strengthen learning, enable evidence-based planning & budgeting.

Depending on the size and scope of the project or programme being monitored and evaluated, different stakeholders such as the government agency responsible for implementing the project/programme; development partners; civil society organisations (CSOs); or external consultants may be involved in carrying out M&E activities. Ultimately it is the responsibility of those directly accountable for creating positive change with resources given by donors or taxpayers.

Generally speaking, M&E requires both quantitative (objective measures such as numbers derived from surveys) and qualitative (subjective measures such as opinions collected in interviews) data points. These data points can refer to inputs (resources used), processes (how they were used), outputs (what was produced by them) and outcomes (change created) in order to accurately assess performance against expected results.

An effective monitoring plan must include goals related to what should be achieved by completing certain tasks; identification of key indicators which will help measure progress; description of measurable objectives which relate specifically to indicators selected; provision for periodic observation/collection of data related to these indicators; determination of who will be responsible for collection/analysis/reporting of information gathered through observation; clarification of how this information will be reported back so that stakeholders receive timely reports on progress made.

Depending on factors such as duration and complexity of a project or programme being monitored as well as capacity available for conducting evaluation activities in terms time & financial resources - frequency could range from monthly reviews within short term projects lasting few months up too annual evaluations within long term programmes running multiple years.

Evaluation teams will generally consist of people subject matter experts familiar with issue being addressed by programmes/projects under review plus other stakeholders including programme beneficiaries as well as partners working with implementing agency. This way all relevant perspectives can be taken into account when making any assessments during evaluation process itself or sharing feedback once final report has been completed.

Yes - participants within monitoring & evaluation exercises need to adhere certain ethical principles throughout whole process related with informed consent & voluntary participation from those taking part in actual exercise itself up too disclosure rules around confidentiality & anonymity when it comes down too treatment received by collected data afterwards.