Evaluation policy and organizational evaluation capacity building: A study of international aid agency evaluation policies

Abstract

Research and theory on evaluation capacity building (ECB) and organizational evaluation capacity have been developing at a good pace over the past decade. On the other hand, there is a paucity of research on the nature and consequences of organizational evaluation policy. Evaluation policies are developed and implemented ultimately to inform and shape evaluation practice and its consequences. It is therefore natural to consider the interface between evaluation policy and ECB. The present exploratory descriptive study examines 52 evaluation policies from bilateral and multilateral aid agencies to explore connections between evaluation policy content and ECB principles and considerations. The results shed light on some interesting relationships; they are discussed in terms of evaluation use, evaluation purposes, and organizational leadership. The study also resulted in a revision of Trochim's (2009) definition of evaluation policy and a refinement and expansion of his eight‐category taxonomy. Implications for ongoing inquiry are considered and practical implications are offered to organization members and evaluation policy developers.