MEL计划模板（监测、评估与学习，MEL） - 美国红十字会国际服务

Sep 1, 2026

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A comprehensive MERL plan template for American Red Cross International Services, guiding how monitoring, evaluation, and learning activities support project design and donor-facing reporting. It explains building a Theory of Change (TOC) and translating TOC logic into learning questions, assumptions, and causal pathways. The template details performance monitoring using a logical framework, a key performance indicator (KPI) matrix with definitions, methods, sources, and frequencies, plus target-setting and baseline, endline, and evaluation planning. It also notes protection, gender, and inclusion support and community engagement and accountability integration.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryPresentations

FormatDOCX

Pages8

Reading Time3 min

AccessFree to download

Theory of Change

Learning Questions

Performance Monitoring

Logical Framework

Key Performance Indicator Matrix

Key Performance Indicator Targets

Baseline, Endline, and Evaluation Plans

American Red Cross International Services Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Template This document covers a comprehensive MERL plan for a new project. A basic and budgeted plan should be submitted with the project proposal and a comprehensive plan should be submitted at 3 months following project start up. The template should be “right-sized” to be adapted to the needs of the project context. Many of the elements required in this template are also required by OFDA and BHA and can be used for donor purposes as well. Projects are also expected to include standards and practices supporting protection, gender and inclusion (specifically assessment) and community engagement and accountability in program design. However, the description of these activities is likely to be in the main narrative of the proposal rather than the MERL plan. Theory of Change This document uses a typical MERL concept called Theory of Change (TOC) as the foundation for MERL. The TOC describes the logic of how day-to-day operations and strategic investments ultimately contribute to a desired impact. In programs that have a fully developed ToC diagram should include it as an annex. Programs in ISD are not required to develop a full ToC. However, a program should be able to at minimum provide a simple statement of the main objectives and high-level activities of the project also knows as an “if-then statement” (if the project does x, then y happens), an explanation of the causal pathways and the assumptions. List out several assumptions. ISD projects should also relate to their respective pillar Theory of Change. Please briefly describe the linkage between the project and the pillar level ToC. Learning Questions Questions at each level of the TOC are meant to test and challenge hypotheses, inform program adaptation, and frame a learning agenda for learning questions. Look at the assumptions in the Theory of Change for direction on learning questions and identify several learning activities that may be planned to address the learning question. Please estimate the budget either in financial resources or in LOE of the learning activities. This does not have to be precise but an estimate of how and when staff will engage. Performance Monitoring The performance monitoring section of the MERL Plan includes three components: the logical framework, the key performance indicators and setting targets. While the same KPIs will appear in each tool, they each have a different purpose. The logical framework is a broader management tool built from the ToC, the KPI matrix specifically defines indicators that describe what success looks like for the project. The third tool helps set targets. Logical Framework The logical framework template is not standardized. The HYPERLINK "https://americanredcross.sharepoint.com/:w:/r/sites/ISD/PPS/IMMEL/_layouts/15/Doc.aspx?sourcedoc=%7BF9B16F82-D45A-4EE9-AFE1-98B46FBDA305%7D&file=IFRC-Logframe-template-definitions-examples-3-2011.doc&action=default&mobileredirect=true" DMERL Framework SharePoint site offers the IFRC standard log frame template. Ideally, a logframe includes the long term, medium term and near-term outcomes of a program, as well as the associated risks and assumptions to achieving them. The logical framework must be completed at the time of project design. Please include as an annex. Key Performance Indicator Matrix Key performance indicators should track near-term and medium-term outcomes of the logframe, as well as the learning questions (specifically those built upon the assumptions and risks in the ToC). KPIs may also track outputs identified in the log frame. However, only those outputs that provide meaningful data to help managers understand the performance of the project should be tracked. Definitions for each indicator, as well as methodology, data source, frequency of collection and unit / person responsible should be included. KPIs should include indicators that can be monitored throughout

FAQs

When should the MERL logical framework be completed?

The logical framework must be completed at the time of project design and included as an annex.

What should be included in the KPI matrix?

The KPI matrix should define each indicator and include methodology, data source, collection frequency, and the unit/person responsible, covering outcomes, learning questions, and select outputs.

How are baselines and evaluation activities planned in the MERL plan?

The plan should describe how indicators will be baselined, when baseline data will be collected, required resources, and whether a population-based study is necessary. It should also outline evaluation actions such as reviews, mid-term evaluations, endlines, and final evaluations with budget estimates.

Sep 1, 2026

Upload by Himbo