SIMPLIFYING EVALUATION

August 29, 2011

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Impact of NGO Development Projects

• “A first, overarching, conclusion - confirmed by data and interviews in all the

different case study countries - is that in spite of growing interest in

evaluation, there is still a lack of reliable evidence on the impact of NGO

development projects and programmes”1.

• “There is a paucity of data and information from which to draw firm

conclusions about the impact of projects, about efficiency and effectiveness,

about sustainability, the gender and environmental impact of projects and

their contribution to strengthening democratic forces, institutions and

organisations and building civil society”2. 1The DAC (Riddell et al, 1997) study "Searching for Impact and Methods: NGO Evaluation Synthesis Study“2Danida-funded study of 45 Danish NGO projects in four countries (Oakley, 1999: 94)

Evaluation

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Evokes the feeling of being judged – many

organisations fear it

Some reasons quoted for not evaluating – limited

budgets, limited time, don’t have the expertise,

we know our project is doing well……..

Often misunderstood, misinterpreted and

misused in the developmental world

3 Es of Evaluation

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Economics

•How much are the project inputs costing us?

•Answers the critical questions about the project’s sustainability and scalability; and the larger question on allocation of resources

Efficiency

•How productively are we using the resources?

•Addresses the critical questions about the project’s management and replicability; and the larger question on use of resources

Effectiveness

•How effective each outcome is in bringing about our objectives?

•Addresses the critical questions about the project’s impact; and the larger question about its success in achieving the goals

Evaluation = Value for Money

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InputExpenditure

Economics X Efficiency X Effectiveness

= OutputInput

X OutcomeOutput

X

InputExpenditure

OutputInput

OutcomeOutput

= X X

OutcomeExpenditure

=

Value for Money =

Why Evaluate?

• For “improving” and not just “proving”– Mid course correction– Prioritization of activities– Reallocation of resources– Assessing the speed and level of progress– Building on the successes and reducing the failures– Improving processes– Maximizing outputs and outcomes while minimizing

inputs

• Increasing value for money

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Questions?????

For any questions or suggestions, please contact:

Andy BhanotWestat India Social Sciences

Mobile: +91 9810 253 614, +91 8800 111 453Tel: +91 11 46114859

E-mail: andybhanot@westat.in

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