Nepal, Oct. 14 -- Every development programme in Nepal follows a broadly similar programme cycle: problem identification, design, implementation and adaptation, with a monitoring and evaluation (M&E) framework as the dominant management and assessment tool. In M&E, a baseline survey establishes conditions before a project begins. Monitoring then tracks output against various indicators. At the end, an end-line survey assesses whether those targets were met, informing decisions about the next programme cycle.

This system serves a clear organisational purpose by making development legible to donors. This article looks closely at how M&E, as a tool, allows the machinery to keep the programme cycle turning, regardless of durable change or un...