Evaluations can also be thought of as projects and thus face many of the same issues. In the 1950s, the concept of the project management triangle was widely discussed (although there is some mystery about who designed it). The classic project management triangle documents trade-offs between the three points: time, cost, and quality.
Preparing Evaluation Proposals
When Khulisa reviews an evaluation scope of work, we think about the timing (schedule, when is the report due, are the deadlines feasible, etc.). Does the client need rapid feedback, or is this a long-term assignment?
We look at cost factors: Is the client providing sufficient funding to conduct the evaluation?
We also look at the quality requirements. Some clients require a very high level of rigor and precision, whereas others are looking for a feedback mechanism.
The project management triangle shows that if the client wants the evaluation:
1) Done quickly – then the evaluation will be either cheap and quick but low-quality (or low rigor) or fast and high-quality, which is then expensive.
2) Low-cost – but high-quality, then the evaluation is low-priority and takes more time.
3) High-quality – then the evaluation will be either fast and expensive or cheap and slow.
Understanding which trade-off is required, using the project management triangle, helps evaluators plan and budget an appropriate evaluation approach.
