• Jan 04, 2025
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What are the most common types of evaluation?

There are several types of evaluations that can be used to assess the effectiveness and impact of programs, policies, and projects. Different types of evaluations can be used to assess various aspects of a program, policy, or project, and to answer different questions about its effectiveness, impact, or implementation.

The different types of evaluation are used in various settings to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of programs, policies, and projects. The selection of the most appropriate type of evaluation depends also on what is being evaluated, the purpose of the evaluation, and the available resources. Here are some common types of evaluations.

Formative Evaluation
Formative evaluation ensures that a program or program activity is feasible, appropriate, and acceptable before it is fully implemented. It takes place during the design and implementation phase of a program or when an existing one is being adapted or modified. Read more: Formative Evaluation.

Summative Evaluation
Summative evaluation looks at the impact of an intervention on the target group. It occurs after the program has been completed. The focus is on measuring the overall impact and effectiveness of the program. As such, summative evaluation can also be referred to as ex-post evaluation (meaning after the event). Read more: Summative Evaluation.

Process Evaluation or Implementation Evaluation
Process evaluation or implementation evaluation determines whether program activities have been implemented as intended. It evaluates the implementation process of the program. The focus is on understanding the activities and methods used in the program, and how well they were carried out. Read more: Monitoring and Evaluation Process: Steps and Challenges.

Outcome Evaluation or Effectiveness Evaluation
Outcome evaluation or effectiveness evaluation measures program effects on the target population by assessing the progress in the outcomes or outcome objectives that the program is to achieve. It measures the results or outcomes of the program. The focus is on the impact the program has had on participants and the larger community. Read more: Outcome Evaluation and Effectiveness Evaluation.

Impact Evaluation
An impact evaluation provides information about the impacts produced by an intervention. Impact evaluation assesses program effectiveness in achieving its ultimate goals. It evaluates the long-term effects of the program and measures changes that can be attributed to it. An impact evaluation must establish the cause of the observed changes. Read more: “What is Impact Evaluation?”.

Performance Evaluation
It evaluates the performance of individuals or teams involved in the program, and assesses their ability to carry out specific tasks. Performance Evaluation strives to assess the success of projects, programs, or initiatives by collecting evidence and making a judgment about the success or failure of that project. Performance Evaluation also helps organizations identify areas for improvement, which can guide decisions about how best to allocate resources. Read more: Performance Evaluation.

Cost-Benefit Analysis
It evaluates the financial aspects of the program and determines whether the benefits outweigh the costs. The cost-benefit analyst sums the potential rewards expected from a situation or action and then subtracts the total costs associated with taking that action. Read more: “Cost-Benefit Analysis“.

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