Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement (MERI) for Resource Management

The Australian Government's Natural Resource Management Monitoring, Evaluation, Reporting and Improvement Framework (MERI Framework) is a generic framework for monitoring, evaluating, reporting on and improving Australia’s approach to managing key assets. The key asset classes in the natural resource management (NRM) context include human, social, natural, physical and financial assets.

At the program level, evaluation strategies will be developed to provide details for implementing the MERI Framework. The application of this framework has some clear implications for evaluating water planning activities. In the implementation of this framework, there is a recognition of the value provided to resource management through adaptive management. It outlines activities and approaches to assess the impact, appropriateness, effectiveness, efficiency and legacy of policies and programs and a process to promote accountability. The purpose of the MERI Framework is twofold. It:

• explains the overarching conceptual framework for evaluating NRM programs with an emphasis on learning, improvement and accountability
• is intended to guide the development and implementation of program-level and investment-level evaluation plans.

The MERI framework provides a model for assessing program performance and the state of and change over time in assets against planned immediate, intermediate and longer-term outcomes. It provides opportunities to improve program and project design and delivery and to reorient investment at key decision points throughout the life of the investment strategy or policy. A series of companion documents will provide guidance on specific approaches to and tools for NRM monitoring and evaluation that are compatible with the broad approach of this MERI Framework. Additional process documents and guides to assist implementation of the framework will be developed as required.

Download the MERI Framework here...