ME-Evidence-Informing-Budgets-and-Planning-Guideline-SA

Summary

This guideline outlines how the South African government can integrate monitoring and evaluation (M&E) data into its national planning and budgeting cycles. Produced through a partnership between DPME and Twende Mbele, the document emphasizes that performance evidence is essential for achieving accountability, learning from implementation challenges, and ensuring efficient resource allocation. It provides a conceptual framework for different evaluation typessuch as diagnostic, design, and economic evaluationsand offers practical advice on using this information to set achievable targets in strategic plans. The text identifies critical barriers to evidence use, including a pervasive compliance culture and technical capacity gaps within departments. To address these issues, the source defines the specific roles and responsibilities of various government entities in fostering an evidence-informed public management system. Ultimately, the guide serves as a manual for officials to move beyond simple reporting toward a more impactful use of data in governance.