From Data to Decisions: My Journey in Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)

Introduction

Public health projects succeed or fail based on how well we measure impact. As part of the MEL team at HERD International, I’ve seen how data-driven insights turn programs into success stories.

Key Lessons from MEL

• Measure what matters: Collecting data is easy; collecting the right data is hard.
• Adapt quickly: Real-time insights let us pivot strategies when interventions don’t work.
• Tell stories through numbers: Data only has meaning when it drives action.

Conclusion

MEL frameworks empower us to design smarter policies, optimize resources, and ensure accountability. It’s where research meets impact.