WHO Evaluation Practice Handbook

This handbook from the World Health Organisation (WHO) provides step-by-step guidance to conducting evaluations in WHO. The book is broken into two parts: the first aimed at outlining the definition, objectives, principles and management of evaluation in WHO; the second provides detailed practical knowledge for conducting an evaluation that complies with WHO's evaluation policy. Included are a number of templates that can be used during the different phases of the evaluation process. 

Excerpt

"The purpose of this handbook is to complement WHO’s evaluation policy (Annex 1) and to streamline evaluation processes by providing step-by-step practical guidance to evaluation in WHO. The handbook is designed as a working tool that will be adapted over time to better reflect the evolving practice of evaluation in WHO and to encourage reflection on how to use evaluation to improve the performance of projects and programmes and to enhance organizational effectiveness. Its goal is to promote and foster quality evaluation within the Organization by:

  • advancing the culture of, commitment to and use of evaluation across WHO;
  • assisting WHO staff to conform with best practices and with the norms and standards for evaluation of the United Nations Evaluation Group (UNEG);
  • ensuring the quality control of all evaluations commissioned by WHO at all levels;
  • strengthening the quality assurance approach to evaluation in WHO." (WHO, 2013)

Contents

  • Part One. Principles and organization 1
    • Evaluation in WHO 1
    • Organization of evaluation across WHO 8
  • Part Two. Preparing for and conducting an evaluation 17
    • Evaluation planning 18
      • Defining evaluation questions and criteria 18
      • Preparing terms of reference 25
      • Choosing a methodological approach 29
      • Estimating resources 37
      • Determining the evaluation management structure 39
      • Managing conflicts of interest 47
      • Establishing an evaluation workplan 47
      • Preparing the inception report 48
    • Conducting the evaluation 50
      • Identifying information needs and data collection methods 50
      • Briefing and supporting the evaluation team 56
      • Ensuring quality 58
    • Reporting 61
      • Preparing the draft evaluation report 61
      • The final evaluation report 63
    • Communication, utilization and follow-up of evaluation results 65
      • Communication 65
      • Utilization and follow-up of evaluation results 66

Sources

World Health Organisation (WHO), (2013). WHO Evaluation Practice Handbook. Retrieved from: http://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/9789241548687_eng.pdf

'WHO Evaluation Practice Handbook' is referenced in: