MERL Tech London

Session Summary:
Over the past decade, we have seen monumental advancements in the “how” and “what” of data collection. Yet the learning component of MERL is more often overlooked than prioritized. During this joint session between Souktel Digital Solutions and Cooper/Smith, we will share some of the most prevalent challenges faced by international development implementation partners to provide attendees with examples of what to avoid when prioritizing learning to improve knowledge management & program design, with a detailed case for effectively collecting, analyzing, and applying data for decision making.

Session Details:
Souktel’s team will share three brief case studies highlighting ways their technology solutions were used to guide decision making, and share results of an interview series with M&E leads from key implementing partners examining a number of issues including, a lack of corporate investment, budgetary constraints, and underdeveloped institutionalization plans.

Cooper/Smith will then present a summary of the Kuunika Project, implemented in Malawi to evaluate the use and efficacy of health systems data to inform critical decision making. They will detail the innovations within their analysis framework; key findings related to data use and incentives; and how key results will inform better data for decision making in the Malawian health sector.

The presentation will be interactive, requiring some audience participation and a brief Q&A. Our goal is to leave participants with specific actions and knowledge, that can help development practitioners avoid pitfalls and promote good practice around organizational learning. Report findings will also be made available to attendees following the presentation.