Monitoring and Results Measurement (MRM)
Monitoring and results measurement (MRM) is the key to successful market systems development programmes. Market systems are complex, and intervening to make them more efficient and inclusive is not a matter of implementing a fixed plan. MRM must be both rigorous and pragmatic in order to deal with this complexity.
MRM in market systems development programmes must take into account two specific considerations:
- Monitoring and measuring system level change and its impact on the poor.
- Dealing with complexity and unpredictability change processes are driven by market partners operating in dynamic environments, outcomes are not fully within programmes’ control.
Establishing a rigorous process for MRM capable of providing and improving outcomes entails five steps:
Step 1: Assign sustainability indicators, augmenting the results chain where necessary:
Set results chain indicators that measure progress towards system-level,
pro-poor growth or improved access and poverty reduction changes, as
well as the sustainability of these changes
Step 2: Project how much each indicator will change by:
Predict the extent of change anticipated for each indicator as a result of each intervention by a given date
Step 3: Create a plan for collecting information to measure performance:
Detail who will undertake each measurement task, when where and using which methods
Step 4: Establish appropriate baseline information, then measure results:
Baseline information for each indicator is needed before intervention
begins. Carry out measurement duties as per the measurement plan.
Step 5: Analyse and use MRM information to inform decision making and external communications:
Interpret the findings of MRM and use them to inform decisions about
improving programme strategy and interventions. Learn from achievements
and failures and communicate both to funders and other stakeholders