From measurement to use: Monitoring and evaluation as instruments of justice and governance

Abstract

This review critically examines the second edition of ‘Monitoring and Evaluation of Social Programs: An Introduction to Concepts and Techniques’, by Paulo de Martino Jannuzzi, situating the book within contemporary debates on public policy evaluation in Brazil and internationally. The review argues that Jannuzzi has become a leading reference in monitoring and evaluation (M&E) by combining conceptual rigor, technical expertise in social indicators, and extensive experience in public sector management. It discusses the book’s main analytical axes – program representation, evaluation, monitoring, methods, and the institutionalization of M&E systems – highlighting the central role of the Process and Results Map (PRM). Through critical dialogue with classical authors such as Vedung, Rossi, and Freeman, Patton, and Weiss, the review shows that Jannuzzi offers an original contribution by adapting international debates to the institutional challenges of the Brazilian state. The review concludes that the book goes beyond a technical manual, presenting a strategic reflection on evaluation, decision-making, and state capacity-building.