Course Overview

Every evaluation effort, whether large or small, should begin with a well-structured plan. Evaluation plans clarify intended outcomes, align stakeholder expectations, and provide a practical roadmap for implementation. This course equips participants with the knowledge and tools needed to create strong evaluation plans that are both useful and actionable.

Participants will explore the essential components of an evaluation plan, including how to define purpose, scope, key questions, data collection strategies, and deliverables. They will also gain hands-on experience with logic models and evaluation matrices, which are core tools for designing coherent, outcomes-focused plans.

What You Will Learn

By the end of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the role and importance of evaluation planning
• Identify the key components of a complete evaluation plan
• Use logic models to define what will be evaluated and why
• Build evaluation matrices that align with evaluation goals and methods
• Apply planning tools to create structured, outcome-based designs

Course Format

This course includes two live, instructor-led sessions (or one day in-person). Participants will engage in guided exercises and practical applications. A certificate of completion will be provided to all participants who successfully complete both modules.

Module Breakdown

Module 1: Laying Out an Evaluation Plan

An evaluation plan serves as a roadmap that defines what will be evaluated, why it matters, what questions will be asked, how data will be collected, and what reports or products will be produced. In this module, participants will explore the structure and purpose of evaluation plans and practice using logic models to articulate an evaluation plan of action.

Module 2: Building an Evaluation Matrix

A key component of any evaluation plan is the evaluation matrix. This module introduces the structure and function of evaluation matrices and explains how they support the overall planning process. Through guided exercises, participants will create evaluation matrices that reflect their evaluation designs and learn how to use them as a tool for decision-making and communication.

Who Should Attend

This course is ideal for:

• New and emerging evaluators
• Program staff involved in planning or overseeing evaluations
• M&E professionals seeking practical planning tools
• Anyone responsible for initiating or managing an evaluation

Prerequisites

No prior evaluation planning experience is required. All materials will be provided.