Key aspects of evaluation

Evaluation can seem complicated at first, but understanding some key aspects will help you feel more confident and get the most out of your experiences. This section breaks down some important ideas that will help you communicate better and explore different roles as you develop your career.

Here are some key aspects you’ll encounter and how you can use them to advance your career:

People use the term “evaluation” in different ways

You’ll come across different definitions and interpretations as you learn more about evaluation. Recognising this diversity will help you communicate effectively with colleagues and clients.

Application:

  • Make sure everyone involved in an activity has a shared understanding of ‘evaluation’.  This can mean actively seeking alignment on evaluation definitions and goals. Clear communication ensures smoother collaboration.

Evaluations are conducted for different purposes

Evaluations can serve many purposes such as accountability, learning, and decision-making.  Often, an evaluation will have more than one purpose, and different users will have different priorities and information needs.

Application:

  • Learning about various types of evaluation will help you choose the right type of evaluation and methods for specific purposes and understand how the purpose will determine the timing of the evaluation (before, during, or after implementation)

Handy resources:

  • Develop a design for the evaluation

    An evaluation design sets out how data will be collected and analysed in terms of the methods used and the research design.

  • Decide purposes
    Clarify the intended uses of this evaluation—is it to support improvement, for accountability, for knowledge building? Is there a specific timeframe required (for example, to inform a specific decision or funding allocations)? If there are multiple purposes, decide how you will balance these.

There is no one way to do an evaluation

The choice of evaluation method or process should be customized to fit your unique circumstances. This involves considering factors like the subject being evaluated, the criteria used, the evaluation context, available resources, constraints, and the intended users and purposes of the evaluation. Evaluation design will also be influenced by the viewpoint of those involved in the evaluation. The values, identities, and evaluator type (internal or external) also play a role in determining aspects of the evaluation process.

Application:

  • Learn about different methods, approaches and strategies used in evaluation. Recognize the trade-offs of having an internal vs an external evaluator. Self-reflect to understand what the viewpoint and values you bring to your work.

Evaluations can add value in multiple ways

In addition to serving various purposes, evaluation processes can add value through other means such as strengthening capacity, empowering people, shifting power dynamics, and supporting decolonization.

Application:

  • Build a career that allows you to add value in an area that aligns with your passions and motivations.

Evaluation includes a broad range of activities

Embrace the broad definition of evaluation. It opens doors to various activities. As you build your career, you can choose specialised activities based on your interests and strengths.  

Application:

  • Explore different evaluation activities such as data analysis, quality reviews, causal inference and complexity science, dataviz or graphic recording, value-for-investment analysis, facilitation… and many more. Remain open to learning throughout your career. Consider developing expertise where your passion lies.

There are diverse roles in the evaluation field

There are many career paths in evaluation. You can conduct evaluations internally for your organization or externally as a consultant. You can work as a contractor or user of evaluation.

Application:

  • Explore different roles, network, and remain curious as you navigate your career. Your path may surprise you! The next pillars include more details of how you can explore diverse roles and grow your career.

There are diverse perspectives in the evaluation field

The field of evaluation is characterised by a variety of viewpoints and ongoing debates. These debates often revolve around the quality of evaluation, including aspects such as rigour, independence, the role of values in evaluation, and impartiality.

Application:

  • Engage in these debates, listen to different perspectives, and form your own opinions and approaches.

Tips from an evaluator

​The complexities within the field of evaluation can be challenging to navigate when you are starting your career. Bookmark these resources to find trustworthy definitions and explanations of evaluation terms:

Remember, even among experienced evaluators there is no consistency in the titles, grouping of evaluations, and definition of terms.

Maria Montenagro

These key ideas should give you a starting point for understanding some of the different ways of thinking about evaluation. Next, we'll delve into some of the common myths and misconceptions about evaluation.

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