Evaluation and Documentation Unit

The unit works towards facilitating the process of reflection for identification of the areas of strengths and areas of concerns and drawing out learning’s to enhance efficiency and effectiveness of organizations as well as their interventions. The unit also aims at documenting the process and outcome of successful interventions made by development organizations.

Genesis

This unit was born from the NGO Support services Unit in 1998, when we realized that undertaking evaluations, research and documentations are another specialized and effective means for building capacity. Over the years ASK has laid substantial emphasis on the need for conducting issue based research, participatory monitoring and evaluations of development initiatives by NGOs. It is also involved in conducting organizational assessment for further strengthening of the organizations. These exercises facilitate in assessing the results achieved, process of development undertaken, utilization of resources and the levels of capacities of the human resources. ASK has extensively conducted the exercises for international agencies, national level, intermediary level and grassroots NGOs.

Process Adopted

The process adopted by the unit to execute the above activities entails following stages:

Planning Phase which involves understanding the issue/ project, delineating the objectives, identification of stakeholders, preparation of tools and methods.
Implementation Phase where the exercise is conducted and findings are made at the institutional level and the target community level. Simultaneous sharing of findings is also done with the concerned agency for cross verifications throughout the process so as to evolve an agreement by the end rather than pass a verdict.
Documentation Phase involves the preparation of a report bringing to focus the findings and recommendations.
Final Presentation of report to the concerned agency, followed by necessary discussion and its finalization.

Methods & Tools Used

Participatory appraisal methods
Process Evaluation Research Technique (PERT)
SWOT Analysis
Focus group discussion
Individual interviews
Rating & Ranking
Perception gauging exercises
Photo language
Planning, Monitoring & Evaluation (PME) tool
Record Screening & Document Review
Observation & Physical Verification

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