Abstract
ESI was specifically concerned with information systems that measure and inform the United States Government (USG) PEPFAR program in South Africa, and the South African Government (SAG) HIV and AIDS program activities. The ESI Project (and thus this evaluation) focused on two distinct areas: 1) refinements to the web-based information system for program reporting and performance monitoring; 2) building the capacity of PEPFAR and SAG implementing partners to collect, report, and use high-quality data and strategic information for purposes of program management at the implementation level.The Project was designed to put in place a technical assistance organization/contractor with the technical scope and capacity to refine the information systems structure to improve its user interaction, and analytical functionality and tools; to serve as the information systems administrator and technical support office for users; and to simultaneously build the awareness, motivation and capacity PEPFAR and SAG managers to place high value on data quality and use of data/information for performance management purposes.This evaluation was both summative and formative in nature. It covered the period from inception of ESI in 2008, through March 2012, and considered key areas of ESI Project performance including: the appropriateness of the Projects development hypothesis; the adequacy of the Projects management; and the Projects performance including key achievements and gaps. The evaluation Scope of Work also requested the evaluators to make recommendations that would inform the future direction of similar projects.