UTILISATION-FOCUSED

EVALUATION
Utilisation-focused evaluations (UFEs) are based on the principle that an evaluation should be judged
according to how useful it is. UFEs should be planned and implemented in a way that increases the
likelihood of the findings being used. This normally means identifying the primary users of an evaluation
and ensuring that they are engaged in decision-making throughout the process.

The concept of a utilisation-focused evaluation was first How it works

popularised by Michael Quinn Patton, who also developed
the concept of developmental evaluation (another type of There are two key questions to ask at the beginning of any
evaluation covered in the M&E Universe series). Utilisation- UFE (see BetterEvaluation u.d., ActionAid 2016).
focused evaluations (UFEs) are based on the principle that
 Who is going to use the evaluation? This means
an evaluation should be judged according to how useful it is
identifying the primary intended users of the
to its primary intended users. In many circumstances this
evaluation.
means trying to ensure the findings of a UFE are used for
their intended purposes. In some circumstances the  What needs to be done to make it as useful for them as
usefulness of a UFE may also be judged on the process itself possible? This information should drive all other
(e.g. empowering marginalised groups to engage with decisions made whilst planning and implementing the
decision-makers during the evaluation). evaluation.

A UFE should always be planned and implemented in a way Once the primary users of a UFE have been identified they
that maximises the likelihood of the findings being used to should then be involved right from the start of the
inform decision-making and/or improve performance. As a evaluation process. This will allow them to explain how
result, UFEs should always be focused on the needs of real, they intend to use the evaluation findings (or process)
identified users. The job of the evaluator is to facilitate the before any key decisions are made, such as designing
evaluation in such a way as to best meet their needs, and evaluation questions or adopting data collection
to engage them throughout the process. This is based on methodologies.
the assumption that the intended users of any evaluation
are more likely to use the findings if they feel ownership of Apart from these key guiding principles, a UFE works in the
the evaluation process, and if they have been actively same way as any other evaluation. There are no specific
involved from the start (Patton 2008). tools or methodologies, and no particular ways of analysing
or disseminating information. Most of the additional tasks
of a UFE come either at the design stage, or through
When to use utilisation-focused regularly engaging with the intended users throughout the
evaluation implementation period. There may also be some additional
work at the end of an evaluation to support the primary
A UFE is an evaluation approach that can be adopted in intended users to understand and use any findings or
most circumstances. UFEs are compatible with all other recommendations.
forms of evaluation, and the principles can be applied in
any kind of work in any sector. As a result, a UFE is almost
always appropriate. However, the time and resources Challenges
needed to undertake a UFE may be higher than for some
other kinds of evaluation, and these costs need to be Although in theory a UFE is an approach that should be
weighed up against the likely benefits. sought in almost any evaluation, in practice there are some
challenges that may limit the extent to which a UFE can be
There are some circumstances in which a UFE may not be applied. Some of these are described below.
appropriate. For example, there may be occasions where
nobody is really interested in using the findings of an  Compared to other approaches, a UFE may need more
evaluation, or nobody has the time or resources to actively flexibility, and more time to fully engage with different
engage. This may be the case, for example, if an evaluation users at different stages. For example, new users of the
is only being carried out because a project or programme evaluation may emerge over the course of the
meets some arbitrary financial threshold, or because one evaluation, or new evaluation questions may emerge.
was planned from the start but most stakeholders have This means that additional resources may be needed
since lost interest. In these cases a UFE would not be that were not anticipated at the start.
appropriate because it would not be possible to identify  The timing of a UFE is important, and should be
and engage the primary intended users. planned to fit in with existing decision-making cycles.
© INTRAC 2017
 For example, if the need is to decide whether to evaluators. They need to be willing to learn, and to
continue with a project or a programme then the make decisions based on the findings emerging from
evaluation cannot be carried out too late in the project the evaluation. Above all they need to be able to
or programme cycle. commit a significant amount of time to engaging with
the evaluation.
 A UFE requires good relationships to be developed
between the evaluating team and the evaluation In INTRAC’s view, in principle, a UFE is something all
commissioning body, as well as the primary intended evaluations should aspire to. After all, what is the point of
users (if different). This means that evaluators need to engaging in an evaluation that nobody intends to use?
be skilled at building and maintaining relationships, as However, it is always important to remember that within
well as having good facilitation skills. monitoring and evaluation (M&E) doing things properly and
 Equally, the primary intended users of a UFE need to thoroughly, with the active participation of many different
be ready, willing and able to engage with the stakeholders, is rarely a quick or cheap option.

Further reading and resources

Links to some of the other types of evaluation contained in this section of the M&E Universe can be found by clicking on the
links below.

Participatory evaluation Gender-responsive evaluation

Developmental evaluation Real-time evaluation

The Better Evaluation website (www.betterevaluation.org) contains the largest set of resources in the world covering evaluation
in the social development sector. The site offers step-by-step guidance for those managing or implementing evaluations.
Experienced evaluators or those with an interest in evaluation are recommended to go to that site and search through the
different materials.

The article on utilisation-focused evaluations referred to below (BetterEvaluation u.d.) provides a good starting point, and
contains many other references and resources that can be explored.

References
 ActionAid (2016). How to… Select a Methodological Approach for the Evaluation. Evaluation Technical Briefing Note, #7.
ActionAid, UK.
 BetterEvaluation (u.d.). Utilization-Focused Evaluation. Retrieved from Better Evaluation website:
http://www.betterevaluation.org/en/plan/approach/utilization_focused_evaluation, August 2017.
 Patton, M (2008). Utilization-focused evaluation, 4th edition. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage.

Author(s):
INTRAC
INTRAC is a not-for-profit organisation that builds the skills and knowledge of civil society
Contributor(s): organisations to be more effective in addressing poverty and inequality. Since 1992 INTRAC has
Alison Napier and provided specialist support in monitoring and evaluation, working with people to develop their own
Nigel Simister M&E approaches and tools, based on their needs. We encourage appropriate and practical M&E,
based on understanding what works in different contexts.
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