2. Critical first steps in monitoring and evaluation management

Checklist

• Assess CO capacity for monitoring and accountability.
• Establish monitoring and evaluation systems from the very outset of the emergency response.
• Use CARE’s Humanitarian Accountability Framework to inform the development of monitoring and evaluation systems.
• Establish appropriate objectives and indicators at the individual project level as well as the overall emergency programme level during the design phase of the response.
• Ensure that the monitoring and accountability system in place is capable of delivering real-time information on what is happening in emergency response conditions.
• Plan for data collection and analysis. Double-check that the information to be gathered is going to give a realistic picture of what is actually happening.
• Plan for reporting, feedback and use of results.
• Ensure that the Monitoring and Evaluation Coordinator coordinates data collection and analysis for monitoring purposes across the programme.
• Employ a range of appropriate and participatory data collection methods.
• Confirm that all monitoring data collected is analysed and presented in a timely and user-friendly way.
• Ensure that appropriate managers review and act on monitoring data.
• Include resources for monitoring and evaluation activities in project budgets.
• Ensure monitoring includes feedback to communities.