An IntroductIon to trIAngulAtIon

FORWARD Dear Colleagues, I would like to welcome you to the UNAIDS Monitoring and Evaluation Fundamentals series. As the response to the global HIV epidemic continues to evolve, monitoring and evaluation (M&E) has become more important than ever. Determining what programs do or do not work; implementing programs with proven cost-effectiveness; monitoring progress towards achieving targets; and ensuring accountability are objectives which are especially important now in the HIV response, as well as in other health and development areas. Thus, it is increasingly important that M&E is better understood, communicated in simplified language, and conducted in a coordinated and sustainable manner that generates information that can be easily used. Further, it is essential that M&E addresses the needs of and involves all key stakeholders right from the start and that results are made publicly available and utilized strategically in policy-making, planning, and program improvement. This series provides a common sense introduction to a range of M&E issues. It covers the fundamentals and their practical applications and includes techniques and tools for managing M&E of the HIV epidemic and response. Although the series uses HIV as its focus, the M&E fundamentals are also relevant to other areas of public health and development. As such, these books may also be useful in strengthening national M&E systems designed to track progress in other health and development goals, such as those outlined in the United Nations Millennium Development Goals (MDGs). I hope you find this series useful and welcome your feedback and suggestions on this and future topics for the series.