The evaluation methodology in use at the Independent Office of Evaluation of IFAD (IOE) is captured in the Evaluation Manual, which is based on the principles set out in the IFAD Evaluation Policy.

The main purpose of the manual is to ensure consistency, rigour and transparency across independent evaluations, and enhance IOE’s effectiveness and quality of work.

The manual builds on internationally recognized evaluation practices and criteria.  It takes into account recent changes within IFAD, such as the introduction of a range of new operational policies and strategies, as well as enhancements to the Fund’s operating model.

The Evaluation Manual contains the core principles and methodology for undertaking evaluations, including project, thematic, country programme and corporate-level evaluations.  The manual also presents the key processes for designing and conducting project and country programme evaluations.

The document was developed in a participatory manner, which entailed wide-ranging discussions among the IOE staff and consultants, IFAD Management and staff, as well as selected project directors from all regions. 

In addition, IOE benefited from the insightful comments and guidance of a seven-person international experts panel of senior independent advisers (chaired by Professor Robert Picciotto, former Director General of the World Bank’s Independent Evaluation Group).

The Arabic, French and Spanish versions of the manual are available to facilitate its use in all geographic regions covered by IFAD operations.

---

Guidelines for project completion report validation and project performance assessment

These guidelines set out the objectives, scope, methodology and format to be used for preparing PCRVs and PPAs. Drawing on the wealth of experience in the evaluation offices of multilateral banks, the authors have sought to adapt such information to the IFAD context (typology of projects, evaluation methodology, contents, and the production of PCRs).

PPAs and PCRVs follow the evaluation criteria outlined in the Evaluation Manual, which sets the methodological fundamentals for evaluations at IFAD. PCRVs and PPAs provide information on findings, lessons learned (in PCRVs) and recommendations (in PPAs); and, in both, IOE assigns its own ratings that it may further process, consolidate and use in other evaluations.