The document discusses key challenges in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) systems, including a lack of reporting on outcomes, limited baseline data collection, and problems with reliably measuring and aggregating output and impact indicators. It notes that while M&E is increasingly complex, many projects still allocate inadequate budgets and staffing to conduct proper M&E. Effective M&E requires clear objectives, standard approaches, continuity of support, and sufficient funding to implement comprehensive surveys and studies throughout the project cycle.