What is assessed during impact evaluation?

Impact evaluation focuses on determining the changes that can be attributed to an intervention or program. The primary goal is to assess the outcomes that result directly from the implemented activities, such as improvements in client behaviors, health metrics, or social outcomes. By examining the change in identified factors, evaluators can ascertain the extent to which the intervention has made a difference in the target population’s situation.

Client satisfaction levels are important but typically fall under process evaluation rather than impact evaluation, which focuses more on measurable outcomes. Similarly, the cost-effectiveness of an intervention, while valuable for assessing the overall efficiency of a program, does not directly measure the impact or changes experienced by those affected by the intervention. Training of staff is also crucial, but it pertains to the preparation and capacity-building aspect of programs, rather than the evaluation of outcomes that result from the intervention itself. Thus, change in identified factors is the core focus of impact evaluation, aligning with its purpose of measuring the actual effect of interventions on a population.