Comparison of the Monitoring and Evaluation Systems of the World Bank and the Global Fund

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to document the approaches of the World Bank and the Global Fund to monitoring and evaluation (M&E), and to systematically and objectively compare the principles and objectives of the M&E systems and how these systems are implemented and used in practice at the country level. The report also discusses the relationship of the M&E systems to the two different business models of the World Bank and the Global Fund. The first goal is to identify whether and how the conclusions that emerge from their M&E systems on the effectiveness of their respective global health activities can be compared. The second goal is to contribute to the ongoing process of identifying good practices for developing M&E policies for global health programs, setting up M&E frameworks, planning and programming evaluations, and using M&E results more effectively to manage programs and strengthen the health policy process in partner countries. The report is organized as follows. Section two summarizes the World Bank's stated policies and approach to monitoring and evaluation. Each element of standard M&E systems framework; system of indicators and performance measurement; data collection and analysis; feedback and use of monitoring findings; and evaluation is described for the World Bank's approach in this section. Section three summarizes the Global Fund's stated M&E approach and policies according to the same structure. Section four compares the application of the approach to M&E of the two agencies in Burkina Faso, Lesotho and Russia. Section five provides a summary of the comparison between the two approaches to M&E. Section six identifies conclusions and lessons learned.