In this paper, I make a summarised and simplified presentation about the Qualitative Impact
Monitoring (QUIM) of the Poverty Alleviation Policies and Programmes in Malawi which was
commissioned by the National Economic Council (NEC) with technical and financial support
from the German Agency for Technical Co-operation (GTZ). QUIM, which was
conceptualised in Malawi in 1997, has been carried out twice in Malawi. The first round,
commonly referred to as QUIM 1, was conducted in 1997/98. The second round commonly
referred to as QUIM 2, was carried out in 2000 with a wider information and dissemination of
results envisaged for 2001.
This paper starts with a brief background of QUIM. This is followed by a detailed presentation
on the instrument focusing on the system of objectives, how it is applied and its general
advantages. The paper concludes with the key lessons learned. The appendices to this paper
present additional and relevant information on some aspects including system of objectives for
QUIM 1 carried out in Malawi, the Step-Wise Approach for QUIM 2 and the QUIM 2
Organogramme. A quick clarification of the terms: Impact, Monitoring, and Qualitative Impact
Monitoring is given in appendix 4.