The GE/HR responsive evaluation is about to get underway. This chapter in the Guide provides direction on how to manage the conduct of the evaluation. It provides information and tools for keeping the evaluation on track and on evaluation reporting and reports.
Each evaluation is unique, requiring management actions and specific attention to the circumstances. Typically the conduct of the evaluation includes:
Inception: The inception phase, concluding with the Inception Report is an opportunity for the evaluation to be fine tuned – in approach, methods, sampling, timing and roles / responsibilities. The ToR provided the best vision for the evaluation, at that time. The evaluation team’s proposal was their best vision for the evaluation, based on available information. The inception phase and inception report merges these to be definitive on what will happen and when within the GE/HR responsive evaluation. Importantly, the Inception Report should be very clear on how the evaluation team will report to and engage with the manager and reference group throughout the evaluation process.
The Inception Report may be written with benefit of a mission by the evaluation team to meet with key players and review key background documentation – or may result from a start up meeting(s) between the evaluation team and the manager and / or reference group (members or in full). This depends very much on the size and complexity of the program, and on how well the GE/HR responsive evaluation has been initially scoped.
Information and data collection: Information and data collection is undertaken by the evaluation team. The manager and reference group will be called upon to facilitate this process by providing background documentation, identifying contacts, and potentially providing access to systems and work sites.
Analysis and final reporting: Analysis of information and data occurs throughout the data collection period /phase. However, once all information and data has been collected, a different analytical process is undertaken. This involves the integration, comparison and synthesis of information and data derived across and through all methods. The analysis includes an assessment of what the information is saying about each of the evaluation questions. The draft final report is derived from this analytical process.
Tip: The manager and reference group need to stay engaged in the evaluation process throughout the conduct of the evaluation. They are critical resources for an external evaluation team and can provide information and advice that will benefit the quality of the evaluation, avoid potential pitfalls and/or mitigate evaluation risks and challenges.
