Evaluation should be guided by agreed terms of reference (TOR), which specify the scope and nature of the evaluation, and define the evaluators’ roles. The TOR should include:
- Background information about the campaign to be evaluated, the issue it addresses and key stakeholders
- Purpose of the evaluation
- Intended uses and users of the evaluation findings
- Key issues to be studied in the evaluation and questions to be answered
- Principles and approach that will guide the evaluation
- Methodology (e.g. data collection and presentation, inclusion of beneficiaries)
- Roles and responsibilities of those involved in the exercise
- Reporting requirements
- Budget for the evaluation
- Timeline and milestones
For more details on TOR writing, see IDRC, 2004. Writing Terms of Reference (ToRs) for an Evaluation.