Back to Basics: A Compilation of Best Practices in Design, Monitoring, & Evaluation in Fragile and Conflict-affected Environments

This document is one of a series of Guidance Products developed under the Results Initiative in Conflict, Crime, and Violence Programming within DFID. The full set of products is intended to support DFID country offices and their partners to develop better measures of programme results in difficult conflict and fragile environments. 

DFID recognises the need to focus on the results of its work in developing countries. To this end, DFID strives to account better for our efforts on behalf of UK taxpayers, offering clarity regarding the value and impact of our work. The Results Initiative operates under the assumption that we will achieve our development objectives with our national partners more effectively if we generate—collectively—a clear picture of the progress being made.

Within DFID, the Conflict Humanitarian and Security Department has established a partnership with a consortium of leading organisations in the fields of conflict, security and justice to develop more effective approaches to the use of data in the design, implementation and evaluation of programmes that contribute to reducing conflict, crime and violence.

The views expressed in this Practice Product are the sole opinions of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the opinions of all consortia partners.  This Practice Product does not reflect an official DFID position.

The series includes:

• Bayne, Sarah. M&E of Integrated Peacebuilding and Development. DFID: Department for International Development, 2013.
• Corlazzoli, Vanessa, and Jonathan White. Back to Basics: A Compilation of Best Practices in Design, Monitoring & Evaluation in Fragile and Conflict-affected Environments. DFID: Department for International Development, 2013.
• Corlazzoli, Vanessa and Jonathan White. Measuring the Un-Measurable: Solutions to Measurement Challenges in Fragile and Conflict-affected Envrionments. 2013. DFID: Department for International Development, 2013.
• Corlazzoli, Vanessa, and Jonathan White. Practical Approaches to Theories of Change in Conflict, Security & Justice Programmes Part II: Using Theories of Change in Monitoring and Evaluation. DFID: Department for International Development, 2012.
• Goldwyn, Rachel. Making the Case for Conflict Sensitivity in Security and Justice Sector Reform Programming. DFID: Department for International Development, 2013.
• Goldwyn, Rachel and Diana Chigas. Monitoring and Evaluating Conflict Sensitivity: Methodological Challenges and Practical Solutions. DFID: Department for International Development, 2013.
• Woodrow, Peter. Practical Approaches to Theories of Change in Conflict, Security & Justice Programmes Part I. DFID: Department for International Development, 2012.