This Field Guide provides a compilation of foundational material relevant to peacebuilding contexts on the design and conduct of evaluation (including manuals, guidelines, tools, etc.), developed by international agencies, academic institutions and NGOs.

What is evaluation? Why do it? Is it a tool for improving programs? Does it feel intimidating and burdensome because you don’t know much about it? What is the state of play in evaluation of peacebuilding? This section provides introductory information on evaluation of peacebuilding and background on how peacebuilding evaluation has evolved.

How does one prepare for an evaluation, whether commissioning one or conducting one? Are we ready for an evaluation, and, if not, what can we do to assess whether we are on the right track? What do I need to do to prepare? Why is theory of change important in evaluation, and how do I identify and use theories of change in evaluation? What evaluation approach or design can I use, and how to I choose? This section provides resources to help answer these questions.

How do I manage the evaluation process? How to I make sure ethical and conflict sensitivity considerations are addressed in the evaluation process? This section outlines the various dimensions of evaluation management and implementation—from management issues such as logistics and team development to robust data collection and analysis methods and ethics and conflict sensitivity. In addition, tools and resources developed for evaluations in specific sectors or topics are included here.