Essential Activities of Evaluation
From EvaluationWiki
Essential Activities of Evaluation[1]
The following evaluation activities are organized under four categories: (1) tasks during the analysis stage, (2) tasks during the program preparation stage, (3) tasks during the program implementation stage, and (4) tasks during the program evaluation stage.
A. Tasks during the analysis stage
• Identification of baseline data or means to collect it
• Aggregation and disaggregation of data
• Analysis of trends and prospects
• Analysis of needs and identification of constraints and possibilities for action
B. Tasks during the program preparation stage
The plan for the activity or service in which UNICEF will co-operate should include:
• Objectives that are as specific as possible
• Indicators and criteria to measure success or progress
• Monitoring and evaluation activities
• Budgetary provisions for- monitoring and evaluation
• Examination of the national capacity for monitoring and evaluating programs
• Measures to strengthen country capacity to monitor and evaluate the program, e.g. training, technical back-up, and institutional strengthening
• Opportunity to share, review and use results
All these provisions have to be adapted to the program’s political, administrative and budgetary context.
C. Tasks during the program implementation stage
• Monitoring by UNICEF field staff should include:
• Ensuring that data collection is proceeding according to the monitoring plan
• Making field visits to project sites
• Reviewing regular progress reports with managers to compare progress to what was planned
• Monitoring UNICEF inputs
• Identifying additional training, technical assistance and other resources that may be needed
• Obtaining agreement for making annual and mid-course corrections, if needed
• Changing monitoring procedures, if necessary
• Identifying additional studies and evaluations needed as the result of program review
• Providing feedback to concerned parties
D. Tasks during the program evaluation stage
• Proposing evaluations, when necessary
• Seeking technical help from the regional or headquarters office, when needed
• Discussing the evaluation with appropriate ministries, departments, sections and other partners
• Reaching agreement on the audience and purposes of the evaluation
• Obtaining agreement on the Terms of Reference
• Agreeing on the selection of a team
• Briefing the evaluation team jointly with country officials
• Following the progress of the evaluation, and giving support to the team
• Participating in discussions of the recommendations
• Promoting the implementation of the recommendations and use of evaluation results in present and future programming
