Table 1.

Questions addressed within each of these five functional components of a data management system needed to ensure data quality ^*

Five functional components of a data management and reporting system	Questions
M&E structures, functions, and capabilities	• Are key M&E and data management staff identified with clearly assigned responsibilities?
	• Have the majority of key M&E and data management staff received the required training?
Indicator definitions and reporting guidelines	• Are the operational indicator definitions meeting relevant standards that are systematically followed by all service points?
	• Has the program/project clearly documented (in writing) what is reported to who, and how and when reporting is required?
Data collection and reporting forms and tools	• Are there standard data-collection and reporting forms that are systematically used?
	• Is data recorded with sufficient precision/detail to measure relevant indicators?
	• Are data maintained in accordance with international or national confidentiality guidelines?
	• Are source documents kept and made available in accordance with a written policy?
Data management processes	• Does clear documentation of collection, aggregation, and manipulation steps exist?
	• Are data quality challenges identified and are mechanisms in place for addressing them?
	• Are there clearly defined and followed procedures to identify and reconcile discrepancies in reports?
	• Are there clearly defined and followed procedures to periodically verify source data?
Links with the national reporting system	• Does the data collection and reporting system of the program/project link with the National reporting system?

^*Based on the Data Quality Audit Tool[6].