Module 5 | Evaluation

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Evaluation answers the question:

How do I know whether a program's strategy and interventions are working?

Overview

In the past, program managers relied on anecdotal evidence to determine whether a program was working. In recent years, however, more attention and resources have been focused on evaluation research. In Module 5, information and guidance on evaluation methodologies is presented, including how to determine appropriate evaluation designs; how to collect, analyze, and present data; and how to integrate evaluation results into strategic planning and program design. It is based on proven methods and includes resources and tools to help assess the impact of the program. Many program managers look for information about evaluation at only one or two times during a program’s life cycle: 1) at the start of programs while developing an overall evaluation plan and planning baseline measures; or 2) at the end of the program, whether or not a comprehensive evaluation plan was developed, in order to assess program effectiveness. The stages contained in this module are relevant to the process of evaluation, regardless of when in the programming cycle the evaluation is taking place. However, the choices that program managers make about how to evaluate at various points throughout the cycle will differ depending on a number of factors. For example, due to time and resource constraints, program managers considering evaluation only at the end of a program may have no choice but to use rapid appraisal methods. It may be helpful to review the information in Module 3, Program Design, for developing an evaluation plan [I-LINK to Module 3 Stage 3, Step 4, "Design a Monitoring and Evaluation Plan"].

A Definition of Evaluation
Evaluation is a broad term that encompasses many different approaches. Following are a few examples of types of evaluations.

• Formative evaluation includes the initial assessment of the target populations and contextual environment in order to develop appropriate, effective programs.
• Process evaluation is a critical part of monitoring program implementation.
• Outcome evaluation examines specific program outcomes and accomplishments.
• Impact assessment is a specific type of retrospective evaluation that uses the results from an evaluation to comprehensively document the accomplishments of a program and to identify the contextual constraints and facilitating factors that have influenced the implementation and effectiveness of program activities. The goal of impact assessment is to strengthen the design and replication of effective programs and strategies.
  
        

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