Evaluation Series | DAC Evaluation Quality Standards
Overarching considerations
1.1 Development evaluation
Development evaluation is the systematic and objective assessment of an on-going or completed development intervention, its design, implementation and results. In the development context, evaluation refers to the process of determining the worth or significance of a development intervention.
When carrying out a development evaluation the following overarching considerations are taken into account throughout the process.
1.2 Free and open evaluation process
The evaluation process is transparent and independent from programme management and policy-making, to enhance credibility.
1.3 Evaluation ethics
Evaluation abides by relevant professional and ethical guidelines and codes of conduct for individual evaluators. Evaluation is undertaken with integrity and honesty. Commissioners, evaluation managers and evaluators respect human rights and differences in culture, customs, religious beliefs and practices of all stakeholders.
Evaluators are mindful of gender roles, ethnicity, ability, age, sexual orientation, language and other differences when designing and carrying out the evaluation.
1.4 Partnership approach
In order to increase ownership of development and build mutual accountability for results, a partnership approach to development evaluation is systematically considered early in the process. The concept of partnership connotes an inclusive process, involving different stakeholders such as government, parliament, civil society, intended beneficiaries and international partners.
1.5 Co-ordination and alignment
To help improve co-ordination of development evaluation and strengthen country systems, the evaluation process takes into account national and local evaluation plans, activities and policies.
1.6 Capacity development
Positive effects of the evaluation process on the evaluation capacity of development partners are maximised. An evaluation may, for instance, support capacity development by improving evaluation knowledge and skills, strengthening evaluation management, stimulating demand for and use of evaluation findings, and supporting an environment of accountability and learning.
1.7 Quality control
Quality control is exercised throughout the evaluation process. Depending on the evaluation’s scope and complexity, quality control is carried out through an internal and/or external mechanism, for example peer review, advisory panel, or reference group.