SADC Polic y for Strategy Development, Planning, M onitoring and Evaluation evaluations shall endeavour to ensure that the work is well informed, relevant, and timely, and is clearly and concisely presented so as to be of maximum benefit to stakeholders. M&E reports should present the evidence, findings or issues, conclusions, and recommendations in a complete and balanced way. They shall be both results-and-action-oriented. ii) C  redibility: Monitoring and evaluation shall be credible and based on reliable data or observations. This implies that monitoring and evaluation reports shall reflect consistency and dependability in data, findings, judgements, and lessons learned with reference to the quality of instruments and procedures and analysis used to collect and interpret information. Monitoring and evaluation at the project and programme levels shall use, as much as possible, dynamic and pragmatic techniques and indicators for measurement of results and progress. iii) Transparency: Transparency and consultation with the major stakeholders are essential features in all stages of both M&E processes. This involves clear communication concerning the purpose of the evaluation or monitoring activity, the criteria applied, and the intended use of the findings. Documentation emanating from monitoring and evaluations in an easily consultable and readable form should also contribute to both transparency and legitimacy. Evaluation and monitoring reports shall provide transparent information on sources, methodologies, and approach. iv) Ethical: Monitoring and evaluation shall provide due regard for the welfare, beliefs and customs of those involved or affected, avoiding conflict of interest. Evaluators must respect the right of institutions and individuals to provide information in confidence. Ethical monitoring and evaluation require that management and/or commissioners of evaluations remain open to the findings and do not allow vested interests to interfere with the evaluation v) Independence: Members of independent evaluation teams should be independent from both the policy-making process and the delivery and management of development interventions. In particular, 9