MERIT

NPOKI Monitoring & Evaluation, Reporting & Indicator Tool

NPOKI has designed and developed a working prototype web-based indicator tracking system, the Monitoring & Evaluation Reporting & Integration Tool (MERIT) based on work done for one of its members, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative. We have revised MERIT as a universal application appropriate for all of our members and in-country partners. It allows project teams to establish project/program indicators capable of meeting a variety of criteria:

• Indicators that work within one or multiple frameworks.
• Indicators that capture different levels of detail.
• Indicators that can be matched to various collection schedules.

This flexibility allows for the same data to be used in reports to multiple donors or constituents, covering multiple time frames, even when the donors use slightly different terminology. The system incorporates a variety of administrative measures that control access and data quality, including:

• Viewing and editing permissions.
• Workflow/Approval.
• Task completion.

Many of the Units of Measure and calculations are user definable, allowing for flexible performance measurement.

The key components of MERIT include (or will include):

M&E Results Framework.

• Presents a hierarchy of desired results.
• Very closely aligned to the Strategic Plan, but developed using results focus.
  • Results framework serves as basis for indicator selection and other M&E related issues.
  • Strategic Plan remains driving framework for organization and is foundation of all strategic and operational planning tools.

Comprehensive Indicator Pool and Performance Monitoring Plan (PMP).

• Indicator pool to cover results framework
  • Built from existing indicators in documents/plans.
  • Indicators required under existing donor agreements.
  • Outlined new indicators to cover new grants and to fill gaps.
• ALL indicators coded to multiple frameworks
  • Always coded to M&E results framework and Strategic Plan(s).
  • Coded as appropriate to any relevant donors.
  • Goal is to apply indicators across multiple donors as much as possible.

Easy data input and robust analysis platform.

• Export data collection template in excel, import results back into the system

Web-based, using tested, secure development platform (dotNET).

• Online M&E system serves as a container for important performance data.
• Enables linkages of M&E data with other strategic information.
  • Indicators include the option of mandatory taxonomy relationships to ensure direct link to workplan, budget, forecast, and other information/management tools.

SharePoint and low resource ready.

The existing system will be upgraded to include the following features:

Flexible dimension manager.

• Currently the system has a basic ‘dimension manager’. The module needs some work, and more importantly a UI – currently all settings are done directly on the database.

3D Matrix.

• Current matrix supports up to 5 dimensions, but visualization is 2D. A new dimension will allow manipulation of data at a more granular level.

Offline functionality.

• Creation of excel templates for data collection. Import functionality.

Multi-Audience Dashboards.

• Current interface centers on data collection/ validation. Dashboard will focus data consumption around audiences (board/ donor/ project director).

Flexible Reporting engine.

OpenAPI.

• Read-only, for extracting data on a variety of formats and sharing with other enterprise applications like finance systems and development databases. Needed for Dashboard and more flexible reporting suite.

Installation Routine.

• For easy deployment on local networks.

Technical Documentation.

• API documentation, installation documentation, architecture documentation.

User Documentation.

• Includes online help, basic, start up printable documentation, video training.

MERIT is freely available to all NPOKI members.