Programme Performance Assessment in Results-based Management

Session 3 - - Collecting Data by Method: Direct Observation

   

Considerable evaluation information will be acquired whenever a site visit takes place. Physical conditions, interaction patterns, participation and processes can be observed. When a performance indicator can be measured by observation, this can be a powerful tool. For example, a performance indicator for the refugee assistance programme could involve recording observations during visits to refugee camps. Whenever a programme involves a certain amount of traveling to sites, or involves work with intergovernmental bodies, observational data may be the most effective. In deciding to use this method, it would be important to have a clear sense of when the visits will be scheduled, based on normal work patterns.

Once the location of the observations is determined, the next step is to decide what to observe. For example, in the refugee case, the visits should include observation of one of the structured programmes with a view to seeing how many refugees participated and how. All visits should try to observe this.

Recording the information should be straightforward. A visit protocol should be developed so that the information is systematically recorded the same way for each observation visit. This will simplify analysis later.