What is evaluation process

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What are the 5 Stages of an Evaluation Process?

• By: Humanitarian Global (HG)
• May 18, 2022

Conducting an evaluation requires a significant amount of planning. There is conceptualization before a resource document is read or a key informant is interviewed. What is the evaluation’s purpose? What are the questions we’re attempting to answer? What will we do with the results of the evaluation? These considerations come before any data collecting. The following is a summary of the evaluation procedure.

1. Planning or defining the scope of the evaluation

Learn everything there is to know about the program, project, or policy.

• For the evaluation, meet with the key client.
• Locate and meet with other important stakeholders.
• Research the program’s context and acquire background information.
• Look at prior evaluations to see what problems, designs, and data collection methods were used.
• Review and refine or create a program theory of change.

1. Designing the evaluation

Prepare the evaluation matrix and terms of reference.

• Determine the type of assessment.
• Create a list of specialized evaluation questions and sub-questions.
• For each question or sub-question, choose measurements.
• Determine the data sources for each question or sub-question.
• Select a design that is appropriate for each question or sub-question.
• Create a data collection strategy that includes instruments and sampling techniques.
• Create a plan for analyzing the data.
• Establish resource and timing constraints.

1. Conducting the evaluation

• Explain the evaluation design to the customer and relevant stakeholders.
• Create a work plan that includes examining and testing the approach, as well as training data collectors and drafting protocol.
• Collect information.
• Clean the data and prepare it for analysis by creating table shells (if not done as part of the evaluation design).
• Examine the data.
• Create visuals.
• Write up your findings.

1. Reporting the Evaluation’s Findings

• Determine the most important facts and themes: what works, what doesn’t, and what needs to be improved.
• Complete the report.
• Inform the client of the findings and facts.
• Inform program officials and key stakeholders about findings and assertions of fact, and make any necessary adjustments.
• Allow program officials to see the draft report and provide feedback.
• Make clear and detailed suggestions that specify who should do what and when.
• Verify that recommendations are supported by evidence.

1. Reporting and Following Up on Evaluation Results

• Determine who will receive what type of research distribution output (for example, a briefing, a two- to four-page summary, the entire report, or an in-depth workshop) and put the strategy into action.
• Determine what lessons to teach and how to teach them.
• Determine how official suggestions will be implemented.
• Store electronic files in evaluative knowledge repositories in read-only format.
• Consider expanding your reach through professional associations and journals.

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