Analytical Capacity for Improved Prioritisation and M&E

The document highlights a gap between theoretical strategic planning and its practical implementation in the public sector, noting that plans are often disconnected from budgets and lack clear mechanisms for prioritisation and alignment. It argues that while theoretical frameworks for performance management and monitoring and evaluation exist, there is a lack of critical, systematic evidence on what works in practice, particularly in Southern Africa.

• Public sector strategic planning often fails to align with implementation and budgeting, frequently ignoring the necessary choices required when fiscal resources are limited (prioritisation) and the need for coordination across the sector (alignment).
• Despite investments in performance management and monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, the link between these systems and the processes of prioritisation and alignment remains unclear.
• Existing literature on public sector prioritisation focuses heavily on theory and assumed characteristics of success, leaving a deficit of systematic research on practical outcomes and their relevance to Southern Africa.

APA

Ledger, T., & Meny-Gibert, S. (2019). Analytical Capacity for Improved Prioritisation and M&E. Public Affairs Research Institute. https://pari.org.za/policy-brief-for-improved-prioritisation-and-me/

Chicago

Ledger, Tracy, and Sarah Meny-Gibert. Analytical Capacity for Improved Prioritisation and M&E. Public Affairs Research Institute, 2019. https://pari.org.za/policy-brief-for-improved-prioritisation-and-me/.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Ledger |first1=Tracy |last2=Meny-Gibert |first2=Sarah |title=Analytical Capacity for Improved Prioritisation and M&E |publisher=Public Affairs Research Institute |date=8 April 2019 |url=https://pari.org.za/policy-brief-for-improved-prioritisation-and-me/ |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{ledger2019analytical, author = {Ledger, Tracy and Meny-Gibert, Sarah}, title = {{Analytical Capacity for Improved Prioritisation and M\&E}}, institution = {Public Affairs Research Institute}, year = {2019}, month = apr, url = {https://pari.org.za/policy-brief-for-improved-prioritisation-and-me/}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }