RE: Evaluability Assessments: An invitation to reflect and discuss | Eval Forward

Hi Amy and all,

To answer question 2 of how to facilitate the use of evaluability assessments, I find it helpful to do an evaluability assessment without calling it an evaluability assessment given the politics of "evaluability." I conceptualize it as an activity to prepare programs for evaluation rather than to determine "evaluability." This means making sure that the linkages in the program theory of change are logical, that the proposed outcomes are possible, etc. This approach to evaluability assessment is more of a process integrated within program planning and evaluation generally and as such does not often lead to a stand-alone output. 

A few years ago my colleague and I reviewed evaluability frameworks and case studies, which might provide more insights into other gaps and opportunities.

Lam S, Skinner K. (2021). The use of evaluability assessments in improving future evaluations: a scoping review of 10 years of literature (2008-2018). American Journal of Evaluation. 42(4): 523-540.

Best,

Steven