Conducting a Process Evaluation

This brief discusses process evaluation: how it differs from outcome evaluation, why it is important, and the core concepts and steps involved.

A process evaluation describes a program’s services, activities, policies, and procedures. It typically measures implementation in terms of program outputs, or quantitative indicators of the provision of services or activities. It describes who received the services and what services they received.

Output data are collected regularly to monitor whether and how program activities are being implemented, to provide early feedback as to whether implementation is proceeding as intended, and to identify barriers and possible changes to the service delivery model.

Perhaps most importantly, a process evaluation helps answer questions about why intended outcomes were or were not achieved.