Nine Questions Every Company Should Ask to Strengthen their Private Sector Engagement with USAID

The document is a product of the Balanced Design, Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (BalanceD-MERL) consortium, which is testing how balanced integration across all aspects of D-MERL enables teams to rapidly learn and incorporate findings into program design. The document presents nine questions that companies can ask during their partnership with USAID, organized in the order that a company would execute their partnership. These questions cover various stages of the partnership, from developing the initial concept to program design, implementation, and reporting. Each question is accompanied by guiding principles, helpful resources, and action-oriented steps to support companies in leveraging these questions to optimize program implementation. The questions are designed to help companies ensure good program management that is responsive to data, integrating program design (D) and implementation with monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning (MERL) activities. This integration is referred to as D-MERL, which includes designing program activities to achieve the partnership's stated objectives, monitoring the performance of the program, evaluating the program on its set goals, engaging in research that generates new knowledge related to the context of the program, and learning based on data gathered from any of the above activities and/or from changes in the program context. The document highlights the importance of integrating MERL into program design to improve partnership effectiveness, build partnership trust and momentum, and facilitate the creation of shared goals and understanding between partners. It also emphasizes the need for companies and USAID to understand their differences and work together effectively to achieve their objectives. The nine questions presented in the document are: 1. Who will serve as the main points of contact for the program? Does a separate MERL champion need to be designated? 2. What are the roles and responsibilities of each partner in the partnership, including the division of D-MERL roles and responsibilities? 3. What are the key performance indicators (KPIs) for the program, and how will they be measured and reported? 4. How will the partnership ensure that MERL activities are integrated into program design and implementation? 5. What are the key risks and challenges associated with the program, and how will they be mitigated? 6. How will the partnership ensure that data is collected and used to inform decision-making and program adjustments? 7. What are the key learning and research activities that will be conducted during the program, and how will they be used to inform program design and implementation? 8. How will the partnership ensure that the program is meeting its stated objectives, and what adjustments will be made if the program is not meeting its objectives? 9. What are the key lessons learned from the program, and how will they be applied to future partnerships and programs? The document provides action-oriented guidance and resources to support companies in leveraging these questions to optimize program implementation and achieve their objectives.