Knowledge Bank

Process Evaluation

November 30, -0001, Evaluation Observatory

• A Process Evaluation exercise examines whether a program’s activities are operating as planned to serve the targeted population. They are carried out simultaneously with the project, helping evaluators make informed recommendations to improve project management.(Process Evaluations: When To Use Process Evaluation, 2017)

  Distinct from outcome evaluations, process evaluations focus qualitatively on the processes of the program and the internal program dynamics rather than the effects of the program activities on the target population. (Bowie & Bronte-Tinkew, 2008).

For a broad overview

• 
• Workbook on Process Evaluations by WHO

  Developed by the World Health Organisation, this workbook addresses fundamental questions – including the What, Why and How of process evaluations using an example of alcohol home detoxication.

• 
• Process Evaluations: A guide for out-of-school time practitioners by Lillian Bowie and Jecinta Bronte

  Developed from an educational perspective, this resource provides a broad overview of process evaluation and explains its need and methodology, along with a list of consolidated resources for educational programs.

• 
• Process Evaluation Guide by Center for Disease Control and Prevention

  This 23-page guide provides the rationale and the steps involved in conducting a process evaluation exercise

• 
• Public Health: Process Evaluation for Public Health Interventions and Research: An Overview

  Authored by Laura Linnan and Allan Steckler, this resource guides public health evaluators in designing and implementing public health-related process evaluation.

• 
• Implementation Monitoring and Process Evaluation by Ruth P. Saunders

  This book serves as a practical guide for practitioners while conducting process evaluation in an organisational setting.

Case Study

• 
• Peer Education in Public Health: Understanding Peer Education: Insights from A Process Evaluation

  The resource serves as case study, highlighting the use of process evaluations in peer education programs working in the areas of sexual and reproductive health, HIV-AIDs prevention, and substance abuse across UK and other countries

Toolkits

• 
• Process Evaluation Toolkit by RAND Corporation

  This tool kit guides practitioners on fundamental aspects of conduction process evaluations – including, what to include in, and how to gather data for a process evaluation with examples. It is also accompanied by a process evaluation planner and summary tool to aid practitioners