A Deep Dive into Complexity-Aware Monitoring at USAID

Working in complexity means the cause-and-effect relationships of a project’s actions are unclear, or the operating environment is constantly changing. If stakeholders disagree about the best way to solve a problem, chances are good that the team is working in complexity.

The Learning Library’s newest featured collection spotlights complexity-aware monitoring. 

USAID’s Office of Learning, Evaluation, and Research (LER) in the Bureau for Policy, Planning, and Learning (PPL) is promoting innovative solutions to the challenges of implementing performance monitoring in complexity. There is a growing awareness that not all targets and outcomes can be predicted. Complex aspects of projects can generate significant unintended results, evolve to respond to unforeseeable needs and opportunities and experience the influence of outside factors and actors.  and multiple pathways of change and feedback loops. To address these challenges, PPL/LER supported trials of complexity-aware monitoring approaches with USAID staff and partners. The purpose of these trials was to generate a body of knowledge about the benefits of these approaches, and what supports their use, and under what conditions do they work best. Ultimately, the results of the trials will inform efforts in support of Agency programming that is more effective and agile in the face of complexity.

The complexity-aware monitoring space on Learning Lab is dedicated to explaining complexity principles and approaches in more detail as well as communicating how interested groups can collaborate with PPL/LER. As trial results are collected, participants will share lessons learned about applying these cutting-edge approaches in the field. To make sure you’re aware of the latest updates on this work, be sure to subscribe to the monthly Learning Matters newsletter or bookmark the page www.usaidlearninglab.org/complexity-aware-monitoring.