Information and Communication Technologies for Evaluation (ICT4Eval)

Abstract

This chapter offers several examples from institutions, ranging from international financial institutions to private-sector firms and international non-governmental organizations. The conference on Information and Communication Technology for Evaluation, organized by International Fund for Agricultural Development in 2017, aimed to identify ways in which technology could bridge the gaps in data for Sustainable Development Goals. Evaluations have historically depended on document reviews, observations and interviews during field visits for qualitative data. In the development sector, wireless devices are increasingly being used to collect monitoring and evaluation data. Evaluations can contribute to improving the quality of decision-making by providing timely feedback and rigorous evidence on effectiveness of development programmes. Geospatial tools have enhanced the Global Environment Facility evaluation team’s ability to undertake analysis efficiently and cost-effectively at project, national, global and ecologically meaningful scales. The challenge is to devise ways to use the strength of machine learning to improve causal inference and impact evaluation methods.