An introduction to monitoring, evaluation, resolution and learning (MERL), this webinar provides an opportunity to build on previous discussions about the missing pieces of M&E. Panelists: - Susan Davis, Improve International - Elynn Walter, WASH Advocates

1. REPORTING IS NOT ENOUGH
WASH Sustainability 3-Part Webinar Series
August 6, 2014

2. AN INTRO TO MONITORING, EVALUATION, RESOLUTION, AND LEARNING (MERL)
WASH Sustainability 3-Part Webinar Series
Elynn Walter, WASH Advocates
ewalter@WASHadvocates.org

3. Definitions
•Monitoring uses indicators to measure effectiveness over time including during the life of a program and post-implementation. Post‐implementation monitoring occurs after installation of the WASH service or completion of a discreet project.
•Evaluation is the long‐term systematic and objective assessment of an ongoing or completed project, program, or policy, and its design, implementation, and results.
•Resolution is the process of addressing problems identified through monitoring and/or evaluation.
•Learning is the process of incorporating lessons learned into ongoing practices to increase effectiveness and sustainability over time. Learning includes documenting and sharing best practices and lessons learned both internally and externally among all stakeholders.

4. Program Life
Cycle
Monitoring
The process of using indicators to measure program changes over time. Post-implementation monitoring is undertaken after installation of the WASH service or program.
Evaluation
The long-term systematic and objective assessment of an ongoing or completed project, program, or policy, and its design, implementation and results. Evaluations should be performed by an external third party.
Learning
The process of incorporating lessons learned into ongoing
practices to increase effectiveness and sustainability over time.
Resolution
The process of addressing problems identified through
monitoring and evaluation results.

5. Design Phase
Implementation
Post-Project Management and Operation
Resolution
Learning
Monitoring
Evaluation
Monitoring
Learning
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation
All four elements of MERL should be incorporated into the design phase, including roles, activities, and expectations for each
Monitoring and learning activities should be continuous throughout implementation. Evaluations should be conducted at critical milestones or upon an annual basis, followed by resolution activities to strengthen the project/program.
Responsibility of continued MERL activities will change during post-project management and operation. Monitoring should remain steady, while evaluation, resolution, and learning activities will be scaled down over time, as project outputs become institutionalized and live out their life cycle design.

6. Other Terminology and Acronyms
•Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning (MEAL)
•Oxfam
•Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
•The Water Institute at UNC
•Overseas Development Institute (ODI)
•Planning, Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (PMEL)
•Engineers Without Borders (EWB-USA)
•Life & Peace Institute
•Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation (PM&E)
•UNDP
•Post Project review
•Imperial College London

7. Other Terminology and Acronyms contd.
•Monitoring and Action Plans
•Waterlines
•Post-construction support and sustainability
•World Bank
•IRC
•Post Implementation Monitoring
•Action Against Hunger
•Post Implementation Monitoring and Support (PIMS)
•charity: water
•Post Implementation Monitoring Surveys (PIMS)
•WaterAid

8. Approaches
•Sustainable Service Delivery
•IRC
•Continuous Quality Improvement
•The Water Institute at UNC
•National Learning Consortium

9. Why MERL?
Why create a new acronym?
Resolution is the least addressed and least talked about

10. THE CASE FOR RESOLVING PROBLEMS WITH WATER SYSTEMS IN DEVELOPING COUNTRIES
WASH Sustainability 3-Part Webinar Series
Susan Davis, Improve International
Email: sdavis@improveinternational.org
www.improveinternational.org

13. Source: Improve International http://improveinternational.wordpress.com/2014/05/30/global-water-point-failure-rates/

15. Aren’t good intentions enough?

16. Services
rehabilitated
Services
infrastructure

17. Reasons for Water System Failures

18. The case for resolution
•Water is a human right
•To save lives / change lives, need good water services forever
•Massive waste of investment (not just ours) - failed systems make poor people poorer
•Many problems attributed to poor implementation

19. Photo: CARE Kenya
How do you create a system to respond to water point failure that “is supportive and yet doesn't create a dependency"?
- A donor

20. Thank you !

21. QUESTIONS?

22. Workshops, Presentations, and Webinars related to MERL
•February 2014 Resolution Workshop
•The Workshop report can be found here:
www.WASHadvocates.org/learn/sustainability/merl
•2014 WASH Sustainability Forum
•PechaKucha Presentation by Susan Davis
•WASH Sustainability Webinars
•MERL 3-Part Series

23. What’s Next?
•Upcoming Webinars
•August 27: Addressing the Resolution Gap
10:00 – 11:30 AM EDT
•September 17: A Framework for Action
10:00 – 11:30 AM EDT
•Resolution Resource Collection

24. HELP US ANSWER THESE QUESTIONS:
•WHO should be responsible for resolution and/or post-implementation monitoring? Who pays? For how long?
•HOW can we learn from the data and integrate those lessons into current and future programming? How do we address problems?
•WHAT resources, tools, frameworks, and approaches should be used to resolve issues?
WE ARE LOOKING FOR:
•Handbooks
•Surveys
•Case studies
•Checklists
•Evaluations
•Cost data
•Contract language (agreements between service providers and community water committees, sustainability clauses)
SUBMIT YOUR IDEAS TO:
SUSTAINABILITY@WASHADVOCATES.ORG
List of resources:
www.WASHadvocates.org/learn/sustainability/merl