Back to the drawing board: how to improve monitoring of outcomes

This paper explores challenges in outcome monitoring for humanitarian interventions, emphasizing the need for adaptive learning, better resource management, and overcoming sectoral silos.

It offers practical solutions for M&E practitioners to enhance outcome monitoring and synthesise project-level results into broader program outcomes.

In this paper, Dillon and Sundberg (2019) address the challenges and opportunities in outcome monitoring for humanitarian action, with a focus on improving the monitoring of interventions in both protracted and non-emergency settings. The paper explores the increasing demand for organisations to effectively monitor and measure outcomes, particularly as interventions often aim for longer-term behavioural and systemic change. The paper's relevance to the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) community is underscored by its emphasis on adapting to evolving humanitarian needs, making it an essential guide for practitioners aiming to enhance outcome-based monitoring practices.

Key features

The paper provides critical insights into the complexities of monitoring outcomes within humanitarian interventions. Key features include:

• Outcomes monitoring landscape: The resource maps the current practices in outcome monitoring, identifying the existing frameworks employed by major humanitarian organisations.
• Challenges in measuring outcomes: It highlights common pitfalls such as sectoral silos, difficulties in aggregation, and limited funding cycles that hinder effective outcome measurement.
• Cultural and organisational shifts: The report discusses the need for a shift in organisational culture towards more open-ended inquiry and adaptive learning to foster better outcome monitoring practices.
• Resource management: Emphasis is placed on the importance of allocating adequate resources, including financial, technical, and human capacity, to support comprehensive monitoring efforts.

How would you use the resource?

This resource is particularly useful for M&E practitioners looking to improve their understanding of outcome monitoring in the humanitarian sector. It can be applied in multiple ways: as a tool for identifying gaps in current monitoring practices, as a guide for developing new frameworks that bridge the divide between humanitarian and development work, and as a reference for overcoming challenges such as resource limitations and data management issues. The section on aggregation of outcomes offers practical advice on synthesising project-level outcomes into broader programme results, which is crucial for organisations working across sectors. Additionally, the focus on cultural shifts within organisations provides valuable insights into fostering adaptive management.

Why are we recommending it?

This resource stands out because it provides a detailed, research-based exploration of how to address common challenges in monitoring humanitarian outcomes. Its focus on practical solutions, combined with a strong theoretical foundation, makes it an invaluable tool for improving the effectiveness of M&E practices in complex humanitarian contexts.