What It Helps Clients Understand
An Impact Evaluation Design helps clients answer questions such as:
Can this intervention be credibly evaluated?
Which impact evaluation design is most appropriate?
What counterfactual strategy should be adopted?
Which outcomes should be measured?
What data should be collected?
When should measurements be taken?
Which threats to causal validity should be anticipated?
How can the evaluation be integrated into program implementation?
Methodological Characteristics
Depending on the client’s needs, an Impact Evaluation Design may include:
Evaluability assessment.
Theory of Change review.
Identification strategy.
Counterfactual design.
Experimental and quasi-experimental alternatives.
Sampling strategy.
Outcome selection.
Indicator design.
Data collection strategy.
Baseline planning.
Statistical power considerations.
Risk assessment.
Ethical considerations.
The emphasis is placed on designing a feasible, credible, and context-appropriate evaluation strategy rather than conducting the evaluation itself.
Core Components
The design typically includes:
Evaluation objectives.
Theory of Change.
Evaluation questions.
Identification strategy.
Counterfactual strategy.
Outcome and indicator framework.
Sampling strategy.
Data collection plan.
Measurement timeline.
Risks and threats to validity.
Feasibility assessment.
Evaluation roadmap.
Typical Deliverables
Deliverables may include:
Impact Evaluation Design Document.
Evaluation Protocol.
Evaluability Assessment.
Theory of Change Review.
Indicator Framework.
Data Collection Plan.
Technical Note.
Presentation for decision-makers.
Best Suited For
This product is especially valuable for:
International organizations.
Development banks.
Government agencies.
Foundations.
NGOs.
Philanthropic organizations.
Private sector organizations implementing social or organizational interventions.
Typical applications include:
Program design.
Pilot interventions.
Policy innovation.
Grant-funded projects.
Monitoring and evaluation planning.
Institutional reforms.
Social programs.
Value Proposition
Impact Evaluation Design enables organizations to build robust evaluation strategies before implementation begins. By designing credible identification strategies, measurement frameworks, and data collection plans in advance, it increases the likelihood that future evaluations will generate reliable causal evidence while reducing methodological risks, implementation challenges, and unnecessary evaluation costs.