Course Description

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) is a structured approach to continuously track progress, assess results, and use evidence to improve decisions over time. For federal programs, MEL can support adaptive management by linking data collection to learning and course correction, rather than treating program evaluation as a one-time, after-the-fact activity. Properly implemented, MEL helps programs demonstrate impact, strengthen accountability, respond to emerging risks, and improve outcomes in complex, resource-constrained environments.

Using real-world examples from the application of MEL to health programs, participants will gain an understanding of how MEL can clarify outcomes, strengthen accountability, and demonstrate impact. The workshop combines formal instruction, interactive in-class exercises, and collaborative case-based work. Outside of live sessions, participants should expect to spend approximately 2–3 hours per week working with others on case study activities. Participants will also learn how generative AI tools (such as ChatGPT, Perplexity, and Copilot) can improve the effectiveness and efficiency of MEL analysis while maintaining ethical guardrails.
This course meets on 3-successive weeks from 10:00 AM-3:00 PM ET

This workshop has three parts:

Part 1: Introduction to MEL for Federal Programs
Core components of MEL and how they apply in federal settings, including simple MEL feedback loops that clarify outcomes, improve accountability, and support better decisions in health research and other programs.

Part 2: Measuring What Matters — Quantitative Tools for MEL in Federal Government
Practical quantitative methods suited to resource-limited agencies, including indicator selection, dataset structuring, trend tracking, and outcome assessment within MEL cycles. Awareness of more advanced techniques, such as benefit-cost analysis, geospatial analysis, risk analysis, and community impact analysis, is also introduced for situations requiring deeper analysis.

Part 3: Hearing What Numbers Can’t Say — Qualitative Tools for MEL in Federal Government
Qualitative approaches that explain the “why” behind quantitative results, including interviews, focus groups, community listening sessions, document review, and observational data, and how these methods integrate into MEL cycles to improve program learning.

Learner Outcomes

When you complete the workshop successfully, you will be able to:

• Explain how MEL differs from traditional program evaluation and how it can be used in a federal government program context
• Design a basic MEL framework that links monitoring, evaluation, and learning to decision-making
• Select and apply quantitative indicators that align with program goals and resource constraints
• Use qualitative methods to complement quantitative data and surface actionable insights
• Apply generative AI tools to streamline MEL tasks while maintaining ethical and governance guardrails
• Collaborate effectively in teams to manage MEL activities and translate evidence into program improvements

Microcredential(s)

This course applies toward the ________  digital badge. 

About the Instructor

The workshop will be taught by Dr. Deborah D. Stine, who has conducted public policy analysis for the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine; the Congressional Research Service; the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy; and Carnegie Mellon University. She is the founder and chief instructor for the Science & Technology Policy Academy.

Credit

Although no grades are given for workshops, each participant will receive Continuing Education Units (CEUs) based on the number of contact hours. One CEU is equal to ten contact hours. Upon completion, each participant will receive a certificate, showing completion of the workshop and 2.1 CEUs.

Refund

Follow the link to review Workshop Refund Policy.

All cancellations must be received in writing via email to registrar@faes.org.

• Cancellations received after 4:00 pm (ET) on business days or received on non-business days are time marked for the following business day.
• All refund payments will be processed by the start of the initial workshop.