Start by defining and prioritizing the information you will need. Your needs might include:
Reporting impact of your project or program to your organization. How is your organization tracking and summarizing impact across projects and programs? How do partners and others report impact? Is there a need for reporting in a common “currency” for area impacted, types of impacts, degrees of impacts?
Reporting to funders or other philanthropic uses. What, if any, are the funders’ requirements? Is your project designed to be used as a ‘proof of concept’ to solicit additional funding? If so, what proof will likely be required? What are the requirements for reporting progress on activities and results such as tool development, analytical reports, etc.?
Influencing key actors, including building the evidence base for conservation. Is there a group whose behavior you are hoping to change? What type of evidence do they require? The best way to assess this is generally to directly ask members of this group. Additionally, assessing how information has led to changes in behavior in the past can provide an understanding of the required quality and quantity of evidence. Note that one group of key actors is the conservation community. Evidence that a strategy works is important to influence broader adoption of the strategy by the conservation community.
Mitigating risk of negative impacts and other reputational risks. Are there potential, credible negative impacts to nature and people? Are there public promises for which proof of delivering on these promises is required?
Mitigating legal risk (if applicable). What legal guarantees, if any, are you responsible for? What evidence would be necessary to defend your organization in court