Practicing what we preach — our experience rethinking M&E in complex settings

The UNDP has been exploring new approaches to M&E to better understand and address complex systems challenges. Traditional linear project-based planning and evaluation methods are insufficient for dealing with the unpredictable nature of such systems. The UNDP’s new Strategic Plan calls for a shift in M&E practices to align with the complexity of today’s global challenges. Key points from the blog post include: Learning and Adapting: There’s a need for continuous learning and adaptation in M&E practices to effectively address complex problems like transitioning to a circular economy. Longer Time Horizons: Substantive change takes time, and it’s often unclear what the results will look like, making it difficult to track progress. Aggregate Impact: Evaluating interconnected interventions as a portfolio is crucial because they cannot be assessed in isolation. Contribution vs. Attribution: Focusing on the contribution to broader change processes is more important than attributing specific outcomes to individual actions. The UNDP has initiated the M&E Sandbox to experiment with and learn from innovative M&E practices. This collaborative space has attracted participants from over 180 organizations, highlighting a shared interest in evolving M&E to better understand change in contexts of uncertainty. A partnership with the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation has also been formed to focus on M&E in food systems. The blog post emphasizes the importance of embracing uncertainty, experimenting, and collaborating to contribute to positive change in complex settings1.