Performance measurement
Evaluation tools and approaches
Independent and self-evaluation at the World Bank: how it works with what objectives
Authors:
; World Bank: Operations Evaluation Division
Publisher:
Operations Evaluations Division, World Bank, 2003
How can self-evaluation enhance the effectiveness of World Bank development assistance? This report, written by the Operations Evaluation Department (OED) of the World Bank, provides an overview of evaluation at the Bank and attempts to describe the strategy, mechanisms and approach the Bank takes in applying independent and self-evaluation as a means of enhancing development effectiveness.
Evaluation at the Bank is practised through self-evaluation of each unit responsible for its own particular programs and activities and independent evaluation by the OED. OED reports directly to the Bank’s Board of Executive Directors who oversees OED’s work through the Board’s Committee on Development Effectiveness (CODE). CODE review OED reports, satisfy themselves that operations evaluation and self-evaluation activities are adequate and efficient and examine selected issues. Methods of self and independent evaluation apply the principles of decision makers at the Bank, perceiving evaluation:
- findings as being useful, timely and geared towards current operational concerns
- as being credible, objective, rigorous and impartial
- as being a transparent process, with reports available to all staff and the process subject to annual reviews by the Committee on Development Effectivess (CODE) of the Bank’s Board
- by OED as being independent from line management at all stages of the process.
The strategic objectives of OED are:
- reorienting focus of evaluation from the project level to country/thematic global levels and seeking replicability at both higher levels and system levels
- connecting evaluation with key Bank business processes, delivering fast response and building in learning opportunities
- promoting evaluation capacity building at the country level, encouraging borrowers to take ownership, seeking the participation of the poor and civil society and identifying and strengthening centres of excellence
- investing in knowledge and partnerships by using IT, connecting to research and supporting professional networks
- to be results oriented.
The OED’s evaluation tools are:
- Project Reviews, with projects selected for assessment on the basis of: self-assessed performance, good or bad, that offers potential for further learning; sectors, thematic areas, or countries soon to be evaluated; project clustering, to reduce cost and increase the impact
- Country Assistance Evaluations, examining Bank performance in particular countries and Sector and Thematic Reviews relating to a particular lending sector or theme. Both are performed prior to Strategy Papers being finalised so that lessons and recommendations can be incorporated
- Process Reviews, produced in response to a Board request, examining ongoing activities such as aid coordination and reporting on overall efficiency, consistency and stated objectives.
The OED’s objectives-based approach evaluates development interventions by:
- considering their relevance to country needs and institutional priorities, their efficacy and efficiency
- measuring the likelihood that benefits will be maintained or exceeded over the projects intended useful life
- the extent to which the ability to make more efficient, equitable and sustainable use of a country or region’s resources is improved
- judging Bank and borrower performance.
