Harnessing the Power of Evaluation in Humanitarian Action: An initiative to improve understanding and use of evaluation

ALNAP commissioned a process of action research, of which this paper is a part, focusing on strengthening institutional understanding, capacities, and processes in order to better harness the power of EHA. The initial research, which involved a literature review and interviews across the ALNAP member organisations, identified areas for further examination. A central emerging lesson is that improving EHA capacities and processes is a complex undertaking that involves a wide range of actors and factors, including allocation of resources engaging senior leaders and realigning operational procedures. This paper starts the process of developing the ideas generated through the literature review and interviews. It is hoped that by illuminating the range of significant factors involved, it will help ALNAP members interested in strengthening their evaluation efforts to identify priority areas of concern, share ideas about what has and has not worked, and develop new strategies for tackling long-standing issues.