PS: an M& E is a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan
Regardless of whether your program is a comprehensive national program or a sub-national vertical program, an M&E plan should abide to these standards. It must be useful and serve the practical and strategic information needs of the intended users for decision making purposes (from assessing program performance to allocating resources, etc.)
Intended users may include those at the highest central levels making decisions about national programs to those making decisions to improve programs at the district level.
The M&E plan should be realistic and practical. To the extent possible, it should make the best use of existing data collection systems. If new data collections systems or studies are involved, resources (cost and technical capacity) must carefully be considered. Data collection, special studies included in the M&E plan must abide by regulations and protocols that consider the rights of those involved in and affected by M&E activities.
Finally, the M&E plan should provide technically accurate and useful information for decision making and program improvement.
Developing an M&E plan should be done during the initial stages of the development of the health program/project. The reality, however, is that often M&E plans are developed after the program is already in place.
Regardless of whether your program is a comprehensive national program or a sub-national vertical program, an M&E plan should abide to these standards. It must be useful and serve the practical and strategic information needs of the intended users for decision making purposes (from assessing program performance to allocating resources, etc.)
Intended users may include those at the highest central levels making decisions about national programs to those making decisions to improve programs at the district level.
The M&E plan should be realistic and practical. To the extent possible, it should make the best use of existing data collection systems. If new data collections systems or studies are involved, resources (cost and technical capacity) must carefully be considered. Data collection, special studies included in the M&E plan must abide by regulations and protocols that consider the rights of those involved in and affected by M&E activities.
Finally, the M&E plan should provide technically accurate and useful information for decision making and program improvement.
Developing an M&E plan should be done during the initial stages of the development of the health program/project. The reality, however, is that often M&E plans are developed after the program is already in place.