M&E planning never takes place in a vacuum. Service providers often find themselves navigating the competing demands of multiple grants or funders; integrating new M&E requirements into preexisting programs; and trying to collect additional data for learning and program improvement. Developing an M&E plan in this situation can feel like you have many puzzle pieces that need to fit together, all without seeing the full picture you are making. Balancing these multiple needs can also be time-consuming, particularly when staff capacity is already limited. This guide provides practical tips for collecting all the data your funders need, while also gathering information for learning and program improvement internal to your organization. With the right approach, you can effectively strike a balance that allows you to collect data beyond what your funder requires without over-burdening staff.
