Causal link monitoring FAQs

This resource provides answers to a selection of frequently asked questions about the Causal Link Monitoring (CLM) approach.

CLM is an approach to designing and implementing monitoring, evaluation and learning (MEL) systems that help steer projects adaptively in complex situations. CLM is especially useful when the context is dynamic, information is scarce, and consensus is elusive.

The FAQs include:

• How is CLM similar to, or different from, other methods we are currently using?
• Do I need a big budget or lots of time to implement CLM?
• Is CLM compatible with collaborating, learning and adapting (CLA)?
• When is the best time to start CLM?
• Who should participate in the CLM process?
• My organization uses a specific theory of change format. Do we need to use the complexity-aware theory of change format described in the CLM brief?
• Developing a complexity-aware theory of change involves making assumptions about the actors and factors in the project context. Should we collect evidence to validate these assumptions before adding them to our theory of change?
• How do we select what to track?
• Is complexity-aware data collection different from performance monitoring data collection?
• How do I persuade my team to try CLM?