Have We Learned Anything New About the Use of Evaluation?

TLDR

Evaluation use originally referred to applying results for program decisions, but now encompasses broader dimensions such as ideas, insights, learning signals, indicator choices, and study design that affect multiple user groups. The study emphasizes expanding evaluation use to include program organizations, client groups, and civil society as collective users.

Abstract

“Use of evaluation” used to mean the use of results for making program decisions. Now we are aware of its larger dimensions. Many aspects of evaluation can be used-ideas and insights, signals that are sent by the very fact of evaluating, the processes of learning through cooperation with evaluation, the choice of outcome indicators that herald success, even the study design. “Use” encompasses a broad array of effects by multiple classes of users. The paper highlights the importance of considering further potential collective users-the program organization, client groups, and civil society.