# Monitoring and evaluation

## Overview

Effective monitoring and evaluation strategies (M\&E) are integral to showcasing the success of the trial to the Catapult and project partners. By employing successful M\&E methodologies, innovators will be in a better position to assess the outcomes and impact of the trial and showcase that the agreed objectives are met and valuable insights are gained. So support effective M\&E, this section focuses on evaluation of trial outcomes, utilising appropriate methodologies for monitoring, and analysing findings to highlight the trial's impact.

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## Questions and prompts

Within your trial plan, it will be useful to detail the following:

<details>

<summary><strong>Evaluation: how will you evaluate what is being trialled?</strong>  </summary>

* List the data or insights from project partners that are needed to evaluate success - ensuring that your goals are realistic and achievable. &#x20;
* Reflect on the success factors and expected impacts, as well as any research questions you aim to address. &#x20;
* Account for the variables, what do you want to change and what will be measured. &#x20;

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Monitoring: how will you measure the results of your trial?</strong> </summary>

* Before observing change, establish a baseline to understand the current state.&#x20;
* Describe the methodologies you will employ for monitoring, and determine whether quantitative or qualitative methodologies are more appropriate for data collection.&#x20;
* List the resources and equipment needed to implement the aforementioned methodologies, and unpack their suitability in alignment with your research questions and objectives.&#x20;

</details>

<details>

<summary><strong>Results: how will you analyse the findings and showcase the results?</strong> </summary>

* Outline your plan for presenting the trial's successes or failures. &#x20;
* Consider how you will demonstrate the implications of these results for your product or solution&#x20;

</details>

{% hint style="info" %}
To support you in answering the above question(s), please find a link to the 'summary of trial' diagram below that can be downloaded in both <mark style="background-color:orange;">PPT</mark> and <mark style="background-color:orange;">JPEG</mark> and used within your trial plan.
{% endhint %}

<figure><img src="/files/4QMTKiMcQUQoai83thd6" alt=""><figcaption><p>Trial Plan Summary</p></figcaption></figure>

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{% file src="/files/TUXQnms1fyYQzTbBLlYM" %}
Trial Plan Summary - template
{% endfile %}

## Useful resources

The following external resources may be useful in developing your monitoring and evaluation plan:&#x20;

* Design Kit's [Monitor and Evaluate](https://www.designkit.org/methods/monitor-and-evaluate.html), providing a framework to help you consider the measures and indicators for your trial. &#x20;


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