Evaluating Development Aid: Issues Problems and Solutions

Until recently, evaluators tended to work alone in their own separate fields and rarely exchanged ideas with others aid evaluators being perhaps more isolated than most. This isolationism is, however, changing with the growing realisation that although the issues involved in development may be different, the methodologies of evaluation and the problems encountered are often the same as in other arenas. This book is a clear, balanced and comprehensive guide to the subject of evaluating development aid. Broadly divided into two parts, the first half reviews the basic issues of evaluating aid–objectives, methodology, the difference between monitoring and evaluation, and feedback. Throughout, evaluation is seen as a vital component of project cycle management and special emphasis is placed on the logical framework approach. The need to focus on outcomes rather than on outputs is also highlighted. In the second part of the book, Basil Cracknell shifts the focus from the role of the donor to the role of the recipient. The topics discussed include the importance of evaluating impact and sustainability; stakeholder analysis, problems particular to various sectors including research and development; poverty alleviation and structural adjustment; international cooperation; the participatory approach; and ‘Fourth Generation Evaluation’. The recurring theme of this very lucid and authoritative book is the central dilemma facing and evaluators today: how to reconcile the requirements of objectivity and accountability with the realisation that some form of participation is essential to properly understand the impact of people-centred projects on the intended beneficiaries. Written by a very experienced aid evaluator and supported by examples from actual evaluations, this practical hands-on book will be of interest to all aid and donor agencies; consultants; professionals and academics in the fields of development studies, economics and management; voluntary agencies at the grassroots; government agencies in the field of development; and aid evaluators. It will also serve as a text for courses on evaluation and development studies.