Definition

An evaluation is a systematic and objective assessment of an ongoing or completed project, including its design, implementation and the results. Appraisals or feasibility studies are "ex ante" evaluations, prior to the decision of funding.

Swiss Consulting earned a successful track record in designing and evaluating a wide array of technical cooperation projects in many Asian and African countries.

We apply the standard evaluation criteria developed by OECD/DAC and favor a participatory learning approach to evaluations.

Our experience includes complex thematic and programmatic evaluations for a wide range of leading donors, international organizations and NGOs.

While our main focus has been on the area of trade capacity building and SME development, we have also provided methodological expertise to project evaluations in other fields. Swiss Consulting further piloted the application of evaluation methodology to investment funds for emerging markets and to policy assessments.

Permanently based in Vietnam , we are familiar with the challenges of a developing country. Our first hand experience in managing technical cooperation in different stages of technical capacity building enables us to provide relevant and practical recommendations.

What are the main Purposes of Evaluations?

An evaluation is a systematic and objective assessment of an ongoing or completed project, including its design, implementation and the results. Appraisals or feasibility studies are "ex ante" evaluations, prior to the decision of funding. Evaluations have the following main purposes:

• Accountability towards the donor and the national stakeholders
• Draw more general lessons learned applicable to other cooperation projects
• Identify and prioritize needs for a possible further cooperation
• Encourage an open dialogue between partners and donors
• Initiate a learning process, rather than merely focusing on accountability.
  
  

Assessment Criteria

Evaluators look at the key question whether a project “does the right things” and “does things the right way”. The following points are typically assessed:

• Quality of project identification and project design , including envisaged links or synergies within a programme or to interventions of other donors. We also look into the question whether a long-term planning exits and whether an intervention is properly phased.
• Relevance : To which extend are the objectives of the project consistent with the beneficiaries' needs, the country's needs, and global priorities? Is the project coherent (consistent) with the policies, guidelines and approaches set by the different stakeholders of the project? How did the project adapt to changed needs? For regional projects, we typically also examine how a regional approach adds value and whether it is appropriately applied.
• Are project results achieved consistent with those reported?
• Efficiency : How economically are resources (inputs), such as funds, expertise, and time converted into outputs? Is the project implemented in a proper and economically sound manner?
• Effectiveness : To what extend were the project's objectives achieved, considering their relative importance. Did the project reach target groups (direct and indirect beneficiaries)? Did it achieve the expected impact in terms of positive and negative, primary and secondary effects produced by a project, directly or indirectly, intended or unintended.
• Sustainability : Are the benefits and effects generated by a project likely to continue after its end? Is there a clear phase-out strategy?
• Project Management : Are management structures and procedures appropriate to achieve the project objectives?
• Drawing general lessons learned of wider applicability for other projects.

Swiss Consulting encourages projects to move from one-time evaluations to a more regular self-assessment of performance according to the criteria developed by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development/Development Assistance Committee (OECD/DAC).

Result-oriented Monitoring (ROM) might be a good way to initiate this process. For project/programmes that aim at institution building, institutional assessments at the initial stage of projects are a good way to identify gaps and to tailor assistance to areas where a highest possible impact can be achieved.