EVALUATIONFUNCTIONS OF EVALUATION

By: Shadrack Bentil

CONTENTS

A BRIEF DEFINITION OF EVALUATIONFUNCTIONS OF EVALUATION

SUMMARYREFERNCES

EVALUATION DEFINEDEvaluation is the systematic assessment of an on-going or completed project, program, or policy, and its design, implementation and results as well as programme performance, focusing on the analysis of the progress made towards the achievement of the stated objectives (Otieno, 2000; Sera & Beaudry, 2007).

KEY NOTE

Evaluation is a critical tool for forward-looking strategic positioning,

organizational learning and for sound management of programs or projects.

FUNCTIONS OF EVALUATION

Drawing from the key note above, the following slides presents five key

functions of Evaluation

1. RELEVANCE Evaluation helps to determine whether the objective and the goals

match the needs that are the program or the project seek to address.

This provides an answer to the question:Do the objectives and goals match the problems or needs that are being addressed?

2. EFFICIENCY Evaluation helps to find out whether the intended program

or project is being delivered timely and cost-effective manner.

In terms of efficiencies, it further helps to identify areas for improvement and ultimately help you realize your goals more efficiently (Noar, 2006) cited in (CDC, 2008: 3)

This answer questions like: Is the project delivered in a timely and cost-effective manner?

3. EFFECTIVENESS Evaluation improves effectiveness. It helps to discover the extent

to which supportive factors and obstacles encountered during implementation has affected the program positively or negatively.

Thus, it is important to periodically assess and adapt your activities to ensure they are as effective as they can be (Hornik, 2002).

In this regard, evaluation can answers question like:What are the supportive factors and obstacles encountered during the implementation?

4. IMPACTS Evaluation helps to find out whether the intended target

group and beneficiaries of the program or projects have yielded the desired as well as attracting and retaining support from current and potential funders (Hornik & Yanovitzky, 2003).

This includes both the negative and positive effects of the program or projects. i.e. the full range of impacts at all levels of the results chain, including ripple effects on families, households and communities; on institutional, technical or social systems; and on the environment.

Cont.

The question, What happened as a result of the project? Can be

answered during and after evaluation.

5. SUSTAINABILITY: Evaluation improves program design and implementation

as well as the long lasting benefit after the intervention is completed. This enables the program managers to build confidence in the continuous success or progress of the program.

The information you collect allows you to better communicate the program’s impact to others, which is critical for staff morale to continue or discontinue the project or program.

Cont.That is, it addresses questions like:

Are there lasting benefits after the intervention is completed?

Should the program be terminated or continued?

SUMMARY In general terms, Evaluation checks accountability measures

the worth of a program or project.

However, in specific and comprehensive terms, Evaluation aims at determining the relevance and fulfillment of

objectives, development efficiency, effectiveness, impact, and sustainability.

An evaluation provides information that is credible and useful, enabling the incorporation of lessons learned into the decision

making process at all levels of the program or project.

REFERNCESCDC (2008) Using Evaluation to Improve Programs Strategic Planning.

Available at: http://www.cdc.gov/healthyyouth/evaluation/. Date accessed: 01.07.2016

Hornik, R. C. (2002). Epilogue: Evaluation design for public health communication programs. In Robert C. Hornik (Ed.), Public Health Communication: Evidence

for Behavior Change. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates

Hornik, R. C. & Yanovitzky, I. (2003). Using theory to design evaluations of communication campaigns: The case of the National Youth Anti-Drug Media Campaign. Communication Theory, 13(2), 204-224.

Cont.Otieno, F. (2000, November). The roles of monitoring and evaluation in projects.

In Proceedings: 2nd CIB W107 Construction in Developing Countries International Conference on Challenges Facing the Construction Industry in Developing Countries. Gaborone, Botswana (pp. 15-17).

Sera, Y. & Beaudry, S. (2007). Monitoring & Evaluation-World Bank. Available at: http://siteresources.worldbank.org/INTBELARUS/Resources/M&E.pdf. Date Accessed: 01.07.2016