Publication: Portfolio Reviews : Resource Guide for Funders
Date
2012-12
ISSN
Published
2012-12
Author(s)
Scola-Gähwiler, Barbara
Nègre, Alice
Abstract
A portfolio review analyses the
composition of the microfinance portfolio and the
performance of individual projects across the portfolio to
assess whether a funder delivers on its microfinance
strategy. Combining these two perspectives provides a
comprehensive analysis of whether a funder is on the right
track to achieve the overall objectives it has set for its
microfinance operations. This technical guide presents the
portfolio review as an evaluation method that can help
funders learn from what they fund. Microfinance portfolio
reviews first appeared in the 1990s as an evaluation method
that compares the performance of microfinance projects
across a funder's portfolio. This technical guide is
meant to be a reference document for staff of donors and
investors who design and implement portfolio reviews, as
well as for the evaluation teams who perform the reviews. It
is organized as follows: section two describes the
objectives and characteristics of a portfolio review;
section three discusses the questions a portfolio review can
help answer; section four describes a step-by-step process
of a typical portfolio review; section five offers practical
advice on how to implement a portfolio review; and the
annexes include template terms of reference (TOR), template
interview checklists, and a sample outline for the final report.
Citation
“Scola-Gähwiler, Barbara; Nègre, Alice. 2012. Portfolio Reviews : Resource Guide for Funders. © CGAP/World Bank, Washington, DC. http://openknowledge.worldbank.org/entities/publication/8c07c530-8b4a-5944-b3e6-84c98ab65801 License: CC BY 3.0 IGO.”