Project Evaluation

Project Evaluation

Project Evaluation is the rigorous analysis of ongoing or completed activities that determine or support management accountability, effectiveness, and efficiency. Project Evaluation deals with measuring the extent to which targets are being met, and detecting the factors that hinder or facilitate their realization. It also involves establishing cause- effect relationships about the extent to which a particular output produces the desired outcome.

It is important to periodically assess and adapt project activities to ensure they are effective. Evaluation can help identify areas for improvement and ultimately help realize goals more efficiently. Evaluation enables projects to demonstrate success or progress. The information collected allows for better communication of program impact to others, which is critical for public relations, staff morale, attracting and retaining support from current and potential funders.

Evaluation falls into two main categories: The Formative Evaluation and The Summative Evaluation. The Formative evaluation is conducted during program development and implementation and is useful if direction is needed on how best to achieve project goals or improve project in general. The Summative evaluation is undertaken once the project is well established and will tell you to what extent the project is achieving its goals.

Table 6 Types of Project Evaluation and Purpose

Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) are closely interlinked and they are often presented together (as M&E), but they are different in nature. It is a two-step process and each part intervenes at different stages in the project cycle. Monitoring is the process of constantly checking and reviewing what you are achieving. Evaluation is conducted once the project has already been running for a certain period of time, allowing you to go deeper into the examination of longer-term changes in practices and behaviour. Hence, the information compiled through the monitoring system will serve as a basis for the more in-depth evaluation of the project. While this manual focuses on the monitoring process, it also contributes to evaluation since the tools and thinking behind the two processes are very similar and mutually reinforcing.

Figure 4 Monitoring and Evaluation Diagram

Good monitoring consists of the following:

 Focus on results and follow -ups: It looks for “what is going well” and “what is not

progressing” in terms of progress toward the intended results.  Regular communication by the project coordinator or manager: The project coordinator or manager should be dedicated to assessing progress, looking at the big picture and

analyzing problem areas. They should ensure continuous documentation of the achievements and challenges as they occur and avoid having to try to remember the events some time later.

 Regular analysis of reports: The project coordinator or manager should review project

–related reports, including financial reports, by the implementing partners to serve as a basis for their analysis.

 Use of participatory monitoring mechanisms to ensure commitment, ownership, follow

-up, and feedback on performance: These include outcome groups, stakeholder meetings, steering committees, and focus group interviews.

 Ways to objectively assess progress and performance based on clear criteria and indicators stated in the logical framework matrix of the project document: The project team should agree on a performance measurement system by developing indicators and

baselines.  Active generation of lessons learned, ensuring learning through monitoring tools, adapting strategies accordingly and avoiding repeating mistakes from the past.