The evaluation of projects, in their different types, contemplates a series of base criteria that allow them to establish their conclusions. Depending on the field, company or organization in question, a series of criteria or others will be used that are related to the strategic objectives pursued.

There are no single criteria; generally, the criteria arise based on the nature of each project; However, in most cases, the following five criteria defined by the OECD for international cooperation are taken into account: relevance ("effectiveness"), efficiency ("efficiency"), impact ("impact") and sustainability ("sustainability").[7]​[8]​[4]​.

It is essential to consider the evaluation from the needs and scope of the actions towards the target population.

Every evaluation must meet some methodological requirements to guarantee that the information it generates can be used in decision-making.[1]​[10]​ Thus, it is expected that every evaluation process will be:

Contenido

En general, cualquier forma de evaluación de proyectos se basa en los conceptos y procedimientos de la metodología de la investigación científica,[11]​ sin embargo, cabe precisar que, cuando se efectúa una evaluación de proyectos de tipo de resultado o de impacto,es necesario asumir un diseño específico de investigación. Alguno de estos diseños son los siguientes:[12]​.

Evaluation only after

It is a simple design that lacks a baseline "Baseline (development projects)"). Its main defect is having little capacity to explain the effects achieved by a project.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

Simple before and after evaluation

This design allows us to compare the initial situation of the target population against the final situation, that is, after the project has been carried out. The cause-effect relationship between the project and its results is clearer, but it is not yet precise since uncontrolled external causes may have intervened.

Its scheme is as follows:

Quasi-experimental design

This design allows for an evaluation before and after the project intervention, also comparing the findings with a control group for the results "after" the intervention. The precision of this design is much greater than the previous ones and due to its technical feasibility it is the most recommended.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

Classic experimental design

This design also allows for a comparison before and after the project, but, in addition, it allows for a before and after comparison to be made in similar groups between their characteristics that have not been influenced by an intervention similar to that of the project. Its explanatory capacity is quite high, but its costs and technical difficulty also increase.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

Complex experimental design

It is a very complicated design, in addition to having a very high cost, so its application deserves a very broad foundation. This type of study seeks to determine the influence of each component of the project, and even the combination of various components in a project.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

The task of project evaluation is not easy and entails multiple difficulties, many of them methodological. but also of a political order.

The evaluation of projects, in their different types, contemplates a series of base criteria that allow them to establish their conclusions. Depending on the field, company or organization in question, a series of criteria or others will be used that are related to the strategic objectives pursued.

There are no single criteria; generally, the criteria arise based on the nature of each project; However, in most cases, the following five criteria defined by the OECD for international cooperation are taken into account: relevance ("effectiveness"), efficiency ("efficiency"), impact ("impact") and sustainability ("sustainability").[7]​[8]​[4]​.

It is essential to consider the evaluation from the needs and scope of the actions towards the target population.

Every evaluation must meet some methodological requirements to guarantee that the information it generates can be used in decision-making.[1]​[10]​ Thus, it is expected that every evaluation process will be:

Contenido

En general, cualquier forma de evaluación de proyectos se basa en los conceptos y procedimientos de la metodología de la investigación científica,[11]​ sin embargo, cabe precisar que, cuando se efectúa una evaluación de proyectos de tipo de resultado o de impacto,es necesario asumir un diseño específico de investigación. Alguno de estos diseños son los siguientes:[12]​.

Evaluation only after

It is a simple design that lacks a baseline "Baseline (development projects)"). Its main defect is having little capacity to explain the effects achieved by a project.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

Simple before and after evaluation

This design allows us to compare the initial situation of the target population against the final situation, that is, after the project has been carried out. The cause-effect relationship between the project and its results is clearer, but it is not yet precise since uncontrolled external causes may have intervened.

Its scheme is as follows:

Quasi-experimental design

This design allows for an evaluation before and after the project intervention, also comparing the findings with a control group for the results "after" the intervention. The precision of this design is much greater than the previous ones and due to its technical feasibility it is the most recommended.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

Classic experimental design

This design also allows for a comparison before and after the project, but, in addition, it allows for a before and after comparison to be made in similar groups between their characteristics that have not been influenced by an intervention similar to that of the project. Its explanatory capacity is quite high, but its costs and technical difficulty also increase.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

Complex experimental design

It is a very complicated design, in addition to having a very high cost, so its application deserves a very broad foundation. This type of study seeks to determine the influence of each component of the project, and even the combination of various components in a project.

Its scheme is as follows:

Where:.

The task of project evaluation is not easy and entails multiple difficulties, many of them methodological. but also of a political order.