Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning

Overview

LPHI’s Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) team provides expertise across the full spectrum of monitoring, evaluation, and facilitating learning that strengthens programs and improves outcomes. We work alongside partners to understand what's working, what needs adjustment, and why.

Evaluation and Monitoring

Our work includes process evaluations, which assess how programs are planned, implemented, and adapted, and outcome evaluations, which measure effectiveness, impact, and alignment with strategic goals.

We collaborate with partners to build monitoring systems that generate timely, actionable data—developing indicators and data collection tools, establishing quality assurance processes, and supporting teams to use routine data for tracking progress and informing program decisions.

Translating Evidence into Action

Strong evidence matters most when it informs better decisions. We work with partners to synthesize findings from monitoring and evaluation into practical actions that support continuous improvement. Through reflection sessions, after-action reviews, and learning workshops, we help teams interpret evidence and apply it to strategy, policy, and implementation.

Beyond conducting evaluations, we invest in building sustainable capacity. Our team provides technical assistance, coaching, and training to strengthen partner ability to design monitoring systems, manage data effectively, and integrate learning into organizational practice. We adapt our approach to meet partners' varying resources, timelines, and capacity levels.

Our Approach

We use mixed-methods approach that integrates quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis techniques, along with community-based participatory and human-centered research methods, to ensure inclusive and contextually grounded data collection. We offer these strategies both in-person and virtually in a way that's designed to engage diverse audiences meaningfully. In collaboration with our partners, we co-create data collection tools and templates that are tailored to their specific needs and aligned with human-centered design principles and established best practices.

All deliverables—reports, presentations, and data visualizations—are designed for clarity and practical application, effectively communicating findings to diverse stakeholders including policymakers, program managers, and community partners.

Specialized Expertise

Our team brings extensive experience in conducting Community Health Assessments (CHAs), Community Health Needs Assessments (CHNAs) as well as Community Health Improvement Plans (CHIP). We also have expertise in survey design, quantitative and qualitative analysis, data management, visualization, and quality improvement.

LPHI partners with organizations across Louisiana and the Gulf South to lead CHAs, CHNAs and strategic improvement planning efforts. Our approach combines the use of primary and secondary data collection and analysis to capture a comprehensive picture of community health.

We engage stakeholders through tailored community engagement strategies and participatory methods to ensure assessments are inclusive and actionable. Our team supports hospitals, government agencies, foundations, and nonprofits in meeting regulatory requirements while aligning with broader health improvement efforts. We offer technical assistance, strategic planning, and coordination through the Louisiana Needs Assessment and Improvement Plan Working Group—a collaborative network of over 30 partners working to promote alignment and shared learning.