Dear Ibtissem, I echo your thoughts: the quality and utility of an evaluation is greatly influenced by the professionalism, expertise, and practical experience of the designated evaluation management team.
The role and responsibilities of the evaluation management team, as well as the extent of their involvement, are contingent upon the various stages or phases of the evaluation process.
I would like to offer my contribution from the perspective of the inception phase. In the complex landscape of project evaluation, the inception phase serves as a compass, guiding the journey toward success. It marks the initiation of a collaborative, participatory and learning journey between an organization and independent consultants engaged in project evaluation. It is a crucial activity where clarity, expectations, and mutual understanding are established.The inception phase is a critical component of project evaluation. It’s not only a formality but a strategic investment in the success of collaboration. Organizing a rigorous inception phase helps maximize external consultants' contributions from day one and establish a strong foundation for a successful partnership. This is where success is mapped, and the course is charted. Starting off on the right foot leads to a more efficient evaluation and increases the likelihood of meeting evaluation objectives. This is where the evaluation management team and external evaluators agree on dos and don'ts by:
reviewing the project's background and context
clarifying evaluation objectives and scope
setting expectations for stakeholders' engagement
discussing approaches and methodologies
discussing deliverables formats and timelines:
clarifying reporting and communication protocols
providing access to project documentation
discussing ethical considerations and confidentiality
establishing a feedback mechanism
gauging and address individual needs
...
As an external evaluators, the collaboration with evaluation managers significantly improves the relevance and utility of evidence for decision-making processes. Their expertise, stakeholder engagement initiatives, adaptability, and quality assurance efforts guarantee that evaluations are carried out efficiently and provide actionable insights that guide decision-making. It requires an opened-mindset of the "evaluation demand" and the "evaluation supply".
RE: Management matters: exploring the link between management models and the use of evaluations
Togo
Adéléké Oguniyi
MERL Expert
Posted on 13/05/2024
Dear Ibtissem, I echo your thoughts: the quality and utility of an evaluation is greatly influenced by the professionalism, expertise, and practical experience of the designated evaluation management team.
The role and responsibilities of the evaluation management team, as well as the extent of their involvement, are contingent upon the various stages or phases of the evaluation process.
I would like to offer my contribution from the perspective of the inception phase. In the complex landscape of project evaluation, the inception phase serves as a compass, guiding the journey toward success. It marks the initiation of a collaborative, participatory and learning journey between an organization and independent consultants engaged in project evaluation. It is a crucial activity where clarity, expectations, and mutual understanding are established.The inception phase is a critical component of project evaluation. It’s not only a formality but a strategic investment in the success of collaboration. Organizing a rigorous inception phase helps maximize external consultants' contributions from day one and establish a strong foundation for a successful partnership. This is where success is mapped, and the course is charted. Starting off on the right foot leads to a more efficient evaluation and increases the likelihood of meeting evaluation objectives. This is where the evaluation management team and external evaluators agree on dos and don'ts by:
As an external evaluators, the collaboration with evaluation managers significantly improves the relevance and utility of evidence for decision-making processes. Their expertise, stakeholder engagement initiatives, adaptability, and quality assurance efforts guarantee that evaluations are carried out efficiently and provide actionable insights that guide decision-making. It requires an opened-mindset of the "evaluation demand" and the "evaluation supply".