Design and evaluation of AID-assisted projects

This text is designed to serve as a resource both during the workshop and in the field. After outlining the three steps in the A.I.D. project management process -- planning (establishing goal and purpose), implementation (including interim evaluations), and final evaluation -- the context of project design, including foreign assistance objectives and sample criteria for selecting from among alternative projects, is set forth. Against this background, the purposes of all A.I.D. project documents are explained and exemplified. To help define development problems and identify feasible alternatives, the "development hypothesis" and "means-end analysis" are provided as aids in using the key element in project planning and evaluation--the Logical Framework (logframe). The logframe provides a narrative summary, objectively verifiable indicators, means of verification, and assumptions for a project"s goal, purpose, outputs, and inputs. The logframe is analyzed in detail and a sample matrix provided. Next, the three types of project scheduling and implementation--bar and milestone charts and networks--are discussed. The network approach is deemed preferable because it is easier to prepare and provides more information. Treated next are the three types of A.I.D. evaluations: regular (performed during projects), special (used when changes or unforeseen needs arise) and impact (assessing the extent of goals accomplishment). Detailed treatment is then given to data collection methods, including sampling procedures, questionnaire preparation, and statistical data analysis. The treatment of evaluations is completed with an explanation of A.I.D. evaluation procedures and organization, USAID evaluation review, and the Project Evaluation Summary (sample form provided). A final section explains the process of obtaining information from A.I.D."s Office of Development Information and Utilization. Practical pointers on writing survey reports and evaluating projects are included, and a list of common A.I.D. acronyms and a brief glossary of evaluative terms is appended.