As the name indicates, it is a tool for monitoring progress. The major focus in process evaluation is on documenting and analyzing the manner in which programmes work in action, to identify and understand important influences on its operation and achievements. The primary purpose is to improve understanding of how a programme achieves what it does. If the activities of the project do not meet expertations, they may be modified or even completely stopped. With the process evaluation, it is much better to change a programme during implementation rather than await a retrospective analysis to find out where it went wrong and who was responsible for the failure when it is too late. It provides information about the congruence between programme design and implementation.
Besides the physical and financial performance parameters, it is important to know how the programme was implemented. This helps in determining the following:
Adequacy of resources available for the programme in terms of funds, manpower etc.
Effectiveness of strategies to generate the expected results.
Level of support from implementers and stakeholders.
Problems and issues affecting implementation.
Policy support, directions and guidelines and
Lessons learned and options available.
Time scheduling of activities.
The overall effectiveness of the programme in these above mentioned aspects is examined in order to make decisions as to whether to maintain, improve, revise or terminate certain activities or components of a programme. Theses results must be fed back to the programme managers on a continual basis.
Participants