Effective communication and dissemination of M&E results to key stakeholders ensures that evidence of performance is publicly available and, therefore, promotes greater utilisation for evidence‑based policy making (OECD, 2020[47]; 2022[3]). Thus, M&E findings need to be made available to their intended users.
Hence, policy makers should strategically plan the use of M&E results to communicate progress and changes brought about by the intervention. A comprehensive communication and dissemination strategy should address critical questions, including a) who the intended recipients of the information are, b) in what format the information should be delivered, and c) when it should be made accessible.
Disseminating findings from M&E functions can take diverse forms, from periodic written reports to real-time dashboards or dedicated repository websites. Regardless of the chosen format, it is important to:
Present evidence clearly and succinctly, highlighting the most relevant information. More detailed information can be provided separately if necessary.
Ensure that the evidence is tailored to the specific needs of the target audience. If multiple audiences are involved, evidence should be tailored to suit each one.
Provide necessary information to establish the context where the findings were generated, making it easier for stakeholders to understand the results.
Prioritise comparisons of performance data over time, as they are crucial to identify trends and assess progress, in addition to specific quarterly or yearly findings.
Acknowledge that key decision-makers may require recommendations alongside findings, in order to identify potential actions. Alternative options and their implications for addressing performance findings may also be of interest.
Organise findings and recommendations in line with the results chain and its indicators.