| Session Title: Cost Analysis in International Development Evaluation: Working With Imperfect Data |
| Skill-Building Workshop 710 to be held in Conference Room 13 on Friday, Nov 4, 2:50 PM to 4:20 PM |
| Sponsored by the International and Cross-cultural Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Keri Culver, Management Systems International, kculver@msi-inc.com |
| Abstract: International development projects today are more likely than ever to include a request for cost analysis as part of program evaluation. Though international development funders sometimes lack vital inputs for successful cost analysis, and may not even understand what is needed, these sponsors still expect to see cost analysis in final reports. Some of the challenges include missing or unclear budget data, funding from multiple donors, packaged reforms with multiple interventions, and uncertain beneficiary numbers. How can analyses be done under these kinds of circumstances? This skills workshop will include fun case studies (adapted from real evaluation data) for participants, helpful tools for cost analyses, and strategies for making the most of the data in hand. In a very concrete sense, evaluators must find ways to engage their partners to "value" the work undertaken, and to provide analyses of cost data that help in future decision-making. |