Policy Monitoring and Evaluation

WHY POLICY MONITORING AND EVALUATION

While economic, social and environmental challenges are increasingly complex, governments are facing growing pressure to deliver more and better for less. Policy monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has a critical role to play in effectively design, implement and deliver public policies and services. Ensuring that policy making is informed by sound evidence on what works is essential to achieve key long-term objectives.

Therefore, policy monitoring and evaluation and its strategic use throughout the policy cycle can:

Support strategic planning and policy making by improving the links between policy interventions and their outcomes & impact

Enhance accountability and provide legitimacy for the use of public funds and resources
Promote learning and enhance policies’ efficiency and effectiveness

THE OECD'S APPROACH TO POLICY MONITORING AND EVALUATION

In support of robust policy monitoring and evaluation systems, the OECD focuses on 3 main pillars:

Building an institutional framework by putting the right legal, policy and organisational measures in place to support the performance of public policies
Promoting the use of evidence and policy monitoring and evaluation, by investing in public sector skills, policy making processes and supporting stakeholder engagement
Promoting the quality of policy monitoring and evaluation, for instance through developing guidelines, investing in capacity building, and ex post review and control mechanisms.

WHAT THE OECD OFFERS

International comparative analysis and benchmarking. The OECD has run an international survey on the institutionalisation, quality and use of policy evaluation. Results have been collected from 42 countries through this questionnaire, and were discussed at the recent Expert Group Meeting held on 12-13 September 2019.
Reviews and in-depth assessments at the national and sub-national level

BUILDING CAPACITY FOR EVIDENCE, MONITORING AND EVALUATION

The OECD can also provide capacity-building activities to support governments in implementing sound Monitoring and Evaluation practices. The OECD secretariat can mobilise a global network of experts, including government officials, to share their experiences, best practices and assist countries in strengthening their capacity for policy implementation by:

Understanding countries’ needs and creating ownership at a local and national level
Fostering interactive on the ground sessions to share first-hand experience and develop capacities
Identifying relevant policy recommendations to resolve implementation and governance gaps

WHO THE OECD WORKS WITH