1. Set expectations
A MEL system helps stakeholders identify key success elements of a project in terms of goods and services characteristics, deadline, resources needed etc. This exercise should be done before or at the early stage of the project implementation.
2. Monitor progress
By definition, a project is a set of coordinated activities undertaken to achieve an objective within a limited time. A MEL system supports the team to monitor the activities and ensure they are convening to the project goal. Furthermore, it helps the team acknowledge whether the project is behind or ahead of schedule so they can decide accordingly.
3. Measure project’s impact
During and after the implementation of a project, it is very important to assess his impact and how it met the needs and expectations of participants/clients. A MEL system describes the evaluation process including who will provide data and how they will be collected, analyzed, and reported.
4. Manage lessons learned
Through the different phases of a project life cycle, many lessons learned will be generated. The learning component of a project MEL system helps the team to capture, store, analyze, disseminate, and use them to better respond to participant/client needs in the future.