Template for the Utilisation of Evaluation findings

General Introduction

Optimum use evaluation findings is a real challenge for most Organisation; this challenge keeps coming up in most evaluation forums. To move a step towards improving the use of evaluation findings, I have put together, a brief template on how to encourage Organisations to use evaluation findings and also to hold themselves accountable for the use/non-use of the findings. This template though very simplistic has been tried in our Organisation and it seems to be working. This template can be used for forward planning or as a template for assessing how evaluation results have been used. Your comment on this tool will be appreciated, feel free to use/adapt this tool

Evaluation Utilisation Template

1. Introduction: The brief introduction should include information on the following (among others); the title of evaluation/study/research, the date on which the evaluation/study/research was conducted, name of consultant (if internal, indicate the name of the lead person) and the purpose for the evaluation (including the person who commissioned the evaluation)

2. How was (will) the result of the evaluation/study/research (be) used? It will be useful to indicate how the evaluation findings/results will be used or (was used). Some of the key uses might include; (a) Program improvement - what has changed or what is going to change as a result of the findings, (b) use for Advocacy - indicate which policy has been influenced or will be influenced, (c) for future program planning, (d) donor requirement (e) Publications (where have this been published/where will it be published). If the findings have not been used, please explain why?

3. How was the findings shared with other stakeholder? Since most Organisations work in partnerships, it will be useful to indicate in the report, which stakeholders were involved in sharing the results and what format was used

4. Any follow-up action required? The crust of the evaluation is the utilisation of the findings. Closely linked to section 2 above, is the question of follow-up. It will be useful to indicate all the follow-up actions and who will be involved. It will also be useful to indicate whether the findings will impact on other programs or interventions

5. Action planning: Very bold and specific statements on the way forward.

What are your thoughts? Cheers