Culture of evidence use and production
The culture of evidence use and production within government entities is a critical determinant of how national M&E systems are adopted and utilised. As governments evolve and priorities shift, the motivations and reasons for implementing M&E systems can change.
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Questions to ask
The following questions draw from the GEI's MESA diagnostic assessment tool:
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Is there a demand from managers/technicians/parliamentarians/civil society for performance information to inform policy and program planning and budgeting?
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How do politicians and senior officials view the usefulness of M&E and results-based management? Do they see them as relevant for accountability? What about for learning and performance improvement?
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What are the dominant incentives in the public service (for example, fear of making a mistake or achieving targets for bonuses)? Does this vary across departments so that some show a more transparent, learning, and performance-oriented culture?
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Is there a culture of learning, and is there an interest and ability to cultivate this? Does this vary across departments?
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How does the government usually respond to negative M&E findings/evidence?
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Overall, what are your conclusions on the organisational culture within the public service?
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What kinds of decisions are guided by M&E information – in relation to planning, budgeting, and other key areas?
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How much interest is there in M&E now, and from whom?
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What motivates the champion(s) or leading government agency or entity to build the M&E system?
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Are there particular constraints around the development of M&E at this time – such as upcoming elections, or crises such as pandemics, or climate change-related disasters or events?
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If there is resistance to M&E, what are its origins, and what is the level of interest and capacity to change these views?
Sources
Global Evaluation Initiative (2022). MESA Guidance Note: Diagnostic Tool for a Monitoring and Evaluation Systems Analysis. Retrieved from https://www.globalevaluationinitiative.org/mesa
Expand to view all resources related to 'Culture of evidence use and production'
Resource
- A focus on M&E of results: an example from the Presidency, South Africa
- A stakeholder view of the development of national evaluation systems in Africa
- BExchange: Using evaluations for decision-making - The OECD recommendations (Webinar)
- Building an evaluative culture for effective evaluation and results management
- Mere compliance or learning – M&E culture in the public service of Benin, Uganda and South Africa
- Using cultural brokers on evaluation teams
This content section is currently under development and has been released in beta mode. We welcome any feedback or suggestions for additional resources and examples - please get in touch via the contact form!
'Culture of evidence use and production' is referenced in:
Framework/Guide
- National M&E Systems :
Method