The Changing Landscape of Development Evaluation Training

Abstract

The World Bank Independent Evaluation Group (IEG) works to improve development results through excellence in evaluation. A key part of this mandate focuses on developing the Bank’s client countries’ capacities in monitoring and evaluation. To this end, IEG developed the International Program for Development Evaluation Training (IPDET) in 2001, and this executive training program has been implemented since then in partnership with Carleton University in Ottawa, Canada. IPDET is managed by Carleton University but has received substantial in-kind (through technical experts) and financial support over the years from IEG. IPDET was conceived to offer a one-of-a-kind learning program for filling a gap in development evaluation training. However, there is broad recognition that the landscape is changing, with increasing numbers of organizations providing monitoring and evaluation (ME) training in some form, an evolving mix of formal graduate degree and certificate programs preparing evaluators, innovations in learning supported by new technologies, and the growing engagement of local networks and evaluation associations in evaluation capacity development. In this context, IEG has commissioned a rapid review of the current landscape for ME training to develop an understanding of the current context in which IPDET operates. Finally, training programs focused specifically on development evaluation were of particular interest for this review. The distinction between ‘evaluation’ and ‘development evaluation’ is arguably an important one, with increasing attention focused on what kinds of peer groups and curriculum are needed to effectively build the ME skills and knowledge relevant for a developing country context.