Findings rarely circulated among end-users. Findings loop into planning stage with little input from end-users. Shared data-gathering but limited participation in data analysis. End-user views loop into planning stage. Increased understanding of end-user experiences.
Findings become property of end-users or community.
Participation in analysis is critical. The purpose, methods, role of the evaluator and impact of the evaluation will vary considerably depending on the type of evaluation and the level of participation of donors, stakeholders and beneficiaries, as shown in the following table. In evaluations with a high degree of participation by stakeholders and beneficiaries, for example, the stakeholders rather than the donors become the question-makers and the evaluations are driven by the stakeholders and recipients. Rationale for a Participatory Approach to Evaluation All too often conventional evaluation reports sit on shelves or desks and have little or no impact on project beneficiaries or development practice either in the field or at headquarters. This can be attributed in part to a lack of input or feedback from those whose lives are affected by a programme or project, who have their own perceptions of what they need and how things should be done, yet who have little or no opportunity to make their views known.