First is the efficiency or the capability of a project to use its inputs to produce outputs, e.g. the organization, management of staff, funds, expertise, etc. are utilized to produce results. The key question here is whether the desired results were attained using the inputs.
Guidelines for Evaluators
Following are the measures which an Evaluator should look for in a Project to be Evaluated:
Relevance:
Efficiency:
First is the efficiency or the capability of a project to use its inputs to produce outputs, e.g. the organization, management of staff, funds, expertise, etc. are utilized to produce results. The key question here is whether the desired results were attained using the inputs.
Effectiveness:
Next item we would like to evaluate is the effectiveness or the capability of a project to use its outputs to achieve its purpose, e.g. the establishment of the local funds to provide a source of credit for rural women. The key question here is whether with the outputs/programs the desired purpose was achieved?
Impact:
The third area for assessment is the impact or extent to which the achievements of the objectives lead to the realization of the goal of the project. For example, in a project which would increase the standard of living of the rural women, the evaluation question is: “To what extent have the standards of living of the rural women increased?”
It is important to remember that we should always ensure that our outputs and inputs are measurable, accurately and clearly stated, because we will be looking for them when we evaluate projects.
To contextualize the above-mentioned measures and tools of evaluation, we will cite a few real life evaluative situations.
For example, in an on-going project where the objectives formulated were not as clear and measurable as expected. As an outside evaluator, using the participatory approach, we can assemble both proponent and beneficiaries and collectively assess the implementation of the project. Together with them, we should try to reconstruct the pre-implementation stage activities of project conceptualization and planning. Discuss with them their desired results intended inputs and outputs. In the process, we are trying to approximate what they had in mind prior to project implementation. This kind of evaluation is usually done after project implementation.
The measures/indicators to be used in evaluation would be very helpful to us whenever we go on a project visit. Armed with these measures, we are in a better position to help the proponent formulate or reformulate clear and measurable objectives. In feet, in some projects we evaluate, we help proponent realize the vagueness of the stated objectives and reformulation would be very helpful not only for the proponent but for the evaluator as well. In the evaluation write-up, the analysis/comments on the revised proposal are included.
However, we should always bear in mind that we are suggesting and not imposing revisions/reformulations on the proponent. We should not insist on any alterations in the project without the consent of the proponent.
Sustainability:
Identification of Problems / Constraints:
Recommendations & Lessons Learned:
- Identify and describe the main lessons learned from the project performance in terms of awareness raising, strengthening of technical and financial capacity, efforts to secure sustainability and approaches and methodologies used.
- Effectiveness of the training activities and its impact on the target populations
- Appropriateness of the current inter-linkages between the major stakeholders and recommend measures for their improvement
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