Impact Assessment for Development Agencies: Learning to Value Change (International Development) - Softcover

Roche, Chris

Softcover

ISBN 10: 085598418X ISBN 13: 9780855984182

Publisher: Oxfam, 1999

Synopsis

This book considers the process of impact assessment and shows how and why it needs to be integrated into all stages of development programs - from planning to evaluation. Its basic premise is that impact assessment should not refer to the immediate outputs of a project or program, but to any lasting or significant changes that it brought about.

From a theoretical overview, the book moves on to discuss the design of impact-assessment processes and a range of tools and methods, before illustrating its use in development, in emergencies, and in advocacy work. It ends by exploring ways in which different organizations have attempted to instititutionalize impact-assessment processes and the challenges they have faced in doing so.

In-depth case studies by partner organizations of Oxfam and Novib as well as by some Oxfam staff show how a variety of approaches to impact assessment - qualitative, quantitative, and participatory - in a range of situations from large-scale integrated development programs to projects involving only one community. These include impact studies undertaken by BRAC and PROSHIKA in Bangladesh, the evaluation of a post-conflict rehabilitation program in El Salvador, a long-term study of the effectiveness of environmental projects in Zimbabwe, and a retrospective review of a neighborhood project in the UK.

About this title

About the Author

Chris Roche is Team Leader in the Gender and Learning Team of Oxfam GB, responsible for research and policy development.

Review

"Impact assessment is a vital part of the development process and this book considers the process of how and why it needs to be integrated into all stages of development programs from planning to evaluation.... the book attempts to share...the lessons learned....as well as some of the challenges... It (is) aimed particularly at practitioners and is a companion volume to the earlier 'Capacity Building: An Approach to People-Centred Development'."
(New Agriculturist online)

"...what a splendid book your Impact Assessment volume is. It is very well done indeed and most helpful on a difficult topic." (Professor Coralie Bryant, Director, School of International and Public Affairs,)

"Impact assessment is a vital part of the development process and this book considers the process of how and why it needs to be integrated into all stages of development programs from planning to evaluation.... the book attempts to share...the lessons learned....as well as some of the challenges... It (is) aimed particularly at practitioners and is a companion volume to the earlier 'Capacity Building: An Approach to People-Centred Development'." (New Agriculturist online)

Edition details

• Publisher: Oxfam
• Publication date: 1999
• ISBN 10: 085598418X
• ISBN 13: 9780855984182
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 308