Complexity-Aware Monitoring and Evaluation

Resource type
Authors/contributors
Title
Complexity-Aware Monitoring and Evaluation
Abstract
Background: Addressing today’s sustainability challenges requires adopting a systemic approach where social and ecological systems are treated as integrated social-ecological systems. Such systems are complex, and the international development sector increasingly recognises the need to account for the complexity of the systems that they seek to transform. Purpose: This paper sketches out the elements of a complexity-aware monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system for international development programmes in the area of sustainable development.  Setting: Not applicable. Data Collection and Analysis: The authors draw on existing literature on complexity and evaluation and on their own experience from working in the field of M&E. Findings: An M&E system should not be seen simply as a tool to track compliance against a pre-determined theory of change. Instead, it is most useful as a real-time approach, constantly defining and re-defining narratives for change that help push systems along trajectories of interest. Dealing with complexity involves embracing uncertainty; and this challenges established notions of accountability—something which funders and implementers must begin to redefine together. Keywords: monitoring; evaluation; complexity; social-ecological systems; international development programmes; narratives for change; theory of change
Publication
Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation
Volume
17
Issue
41
Pages
35-50
Date
2021-06-21
Language
en
ISSN
1556-8180
Accessed
06/08/2023, 19:18
Library Catalogue
journals.sfu.ca
Rights
Copyright (c) 2021 Tilman Hertz, Eva Brattander, Loretta Rose
Extra
Number: 41
Citation
Hertz, T., Brattander, E., & Rose, L. (2021). Complexity-Aware Monitoring and Evaluation. Journal of MultiDisciplinary Evaluation, 17(41), 35–50. https://doi.org/10.56645/jmde.v17i41.679