Post-investment Evaluation Process

Producing useful evaluation findings depends on following a clear and logical sequence that guides evaluators from initial reflection to evidence use. A step by step approach strengthens evaluation quality by ensuring that purpose methods analysis and communication are aligned and applied consistently throughout the evaluation process. This document walks through the main stages that structure an evaluation from start to finish: – Clarifying why the evaluation is being conducted and how results will be used – Identifying primary users stakeholders and decision making needs – Defining the scope focus and timing of the evaluation – Formulating clear evaluation questions linked to objectives and results – Selecting appropriate evaluation criteria such as relevance effectiveness efficiency impact and sustainability – Choosing suitable evaluation designs and methodological approaches – Identifying data sources and selecting data collection methods – Planning and managing data collection activities – Ensuring data quality ethical standards and protection of participants – Analysing and synthesising evidence in relation to evaluation questions – Drawing conclusions based on evidence and evaluative judgement – Formulating practical recommendations linked to findings – Communicating results through clear and accessible reporting formats The document provides a practical and instructional roadmap for evaluators and programme teams by translating evaluation principles into a sequenced process that supports rigour transparency and use. By emphasising planning methodological coherence ethical practice and effective communication, it enables evaluations to generate credible evidence that informs learning accountability and decision making across programmes and organisations.

Two quick questions for CFOs... Are you maximizing the return on your FP&A digital investments? And ...... How confident are you in your team’s ability to gauge the true value these projects bring to your organization?   Investing wisely in technology that boosts productivity and enhances employee skills is crucial. Yet, deciphering the true impact of these investments on your enterprise’s value presents a challenge. Surprisingly, only a third of CFOs feel their teams have the expertise to accurately evaluate the potential value creation of their digital endeavors. Often, digital projects fail to meet expectations, particularly when their funding and oversight are scattered across various business units.   To bolster the accountability and success of your digital initiatives, consider adopting these strategies:   ✔ Institute Dynamic Project Charters Begin with a comprehensive project charter that outlines the scope and objectives of your digital project. This document should be a living entity, regularly referenced and updated during monthly operational reviews to keep the project aligned with its goals.   ✔ Measure Beyond Financial Metrics Recognize that the benefits of digital investments might not be immediately visible in financial terms. Incorporate non-financial Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) into your evaluation framework, assigning them a quantifiable value. This approach can provide early indicators of whether a project is on the right path.   ✔ Leverage Insights for Future Projects Use the knowledge gained from current projects to enhance future endeavors. Ensure that resource allocation, project timelines, and performance metrics consider the lessons learned, reflecting the interconnectedness and unique demands of digital projects.   Understanding the nuanced impact of digital investments on your organization's overall value requires a strategic and informed approach. By enhancing how projects are chartered, evaluated, and learned from, you can not only increase your confidence in these investments but also drive meaningful, lasting value.   Interested in refining your strategy for digital investment evaluation? Let’s connect and explore effective approaches to unlock the full potential of your technology projects. 🔽 🔽 🔽 👋 Hi, I'm Lisa. Thanks for checking out my Post!   Here is what you can do next ⬇️   ➕ Follow me for more FP&A insights    🔔 Hit the bell on my profile to be notified when I post   💬 Share your ideas or insights in the comments ♻ Inform others in your network via a Share or Repost #digitaltransformation #finance #cfo #data #businessanalytics

VC 101 - Day 7  Post-Investment Interactions: The After Party You did it. Your startup's pitch won over a venture capitalist, and the check with all those zeros just hit your account. The bubbly was uncorked, and for a brief moment, you felt like the king or queen of the entrepreneurial world. The temptation might be to think that you've crossed the finish line, but in reality, the journey has only just begun. How Often Do They Check In? Surprise, surprise! Venture capitalists are much more engaged than you might have initially thought. Around 60% of VCs check in with their portfolio companies at least weekly. You might feel like they’re hovering, but their involvement is generally constructive, unlike that of a clingy ex. What Do They Offer? Strategic Guidance Lost in the maze of scaling, or unsure about entering a new market? Your VC is your go-to sage, a corporate Yoda, guiding you with the wisdom gleaned from years of industry experience. Connections The Rolodex of a VC often reads like a Who's Who of the business world. These connections can provide introductions to potential clients, partnerships, or even future rounds of financing, unlocking opportunities you never thought possible. Operational Advice From fine-tuning your supply chain to navigating HR complexities, your VC is often a fount of practical advice. They’ve been through this rodeo before and can help you avoid common pitfalls. Hiring Assembling the right team can make or break your startup. Whether it's board members or critical managerial positions, your VC's network can be a treasure trove of talent. Takeaway: Think of VCs not as faceless, open wallets but as active, hands-on partners in your journey. The post-investment phase is not a solitary one; it’s a collaborative endeavor. The counsel, connections, and experience a VC provides can often be as invaluable as the capital they initially invested. The venture capital game isn't just about securing that big check; it’s about cultivating a long-term partnership filled with strategic advice, networking opportunities, and operational insights. The relationship you build with your VC after the initial investment could very well be the cornerstone that guides you toward entrepreneurial success. Stay tuned for Day 8! Source: Harvard Business Review ➕ Follow me (Grace Gong) and hit the bell 🔔 icon on my profile to be notified of everything VC

Deal flow tips everyone over-hypes: — Source as many deals as possible. More deals, more chances, right? Not always. — Focus on flashy, intermediated deals from big auctions. They’re often crowded and competitive, but not always the best. — Rely solely on pitch decks to make quick screening decisions. They can be polished but don’t always tell the full story. But there's one nobody ever talks about: post-investment monitoring and relationship building. Here's why: — It’s where you truly protect and grow your investment. — Strong ongoing communication uncovers risks early. — Active involvement helps founders navigate challenges and seize opportunities. Post-investment work often gets overlooked because it’s less glamorous than deal sourcing or closing. But it’s critical to turning good deals into great outcomes. Without it, even the best investments can falter. My advice? Prioritize building strong post-investment processes and relationships. Only then worry about everything else. #DealFlow #VentureCapital #PrivateEquity #InvestmentTips #StartupFunding

After working closely with thousands of VC funds over the years, one pattern becomes very clear: funds that look similar at entry often end up with very different outcomes. The difference rarely comes down to the original investment decision alone. It shows up over time, during the post-investment phase. Most venture investments are held for five to ten years. Over that period, funds make dozens of decisions that materially affect outcomes: - when to follow on - or when not to - how early to engage when performance deviates from plan - how consistently portfolio data is reviewed across companies. These decisions rarely feel dramatic in the moment, but they compound. Portfolio management is where capital allocation actually plays out in practice. For VC teams, this raises a practical question worth revisiting regularly: how much structure and attention is dedicated to decisions made after the check is written?

PHASES OF EVALUATION The phases of evaluation are the main stages followed to plan, implement and use the results of an evaluation effectively. These phases help ensure that the evaluation process is systematic, transparent and useful for decision-making. This phases are 1. Preparatory Phase In this first phase, the foundation of the evaluation is set. This involve defining the evaluation purpose and scope, Setting up the evaluation reference group, Drafting the Terms of Reference (ToR), Recruiting and contracting the evaluation team. -Example: Before evaluating a sanitation program, the evaluation manager defines the objectives, prepares ToR and hires evaluators. 2. . Inception Phase This phase structures the evaluation and clarifies key issues. This involves activities such as Refining evaluation questions, Developing the evaluation matrix and methodology and Preparing the inception report, outlining the work plan and approach. -Example: The evaluation team identifies questions like To what extent did hygiene training reduce UTI cases? and designs the data collection plan. 3. Interim Phase Data is collected and analyzed to answer evaluation questions. It usually has two main components: -Desk Activities: Review of documents, preliminary data analysis, and initial stakeholder interviews to identify hypotheses. -Field Activities: Primary research and further data collection to test or refine those hypotheses. Example: Desk review of health center records, followed by field interviews with healthcare workers and patients. 4. Synthesis Phase Findings and conclusions are consolidated into a report. -Example: The team concludes that improved sanitation facilities significantly reduced infection rates and recommends continued hygiene promotion. 5.Dissemination Phase This ensures the evaluation results reach and influence stakeholders through Presenting findings in accessible formats and Sharing results widely with policymakers, project teams and the public. -Example: Publishing results in a summary report and organizing a feedback workshop with health officials. 6. Follow-up Phase Ensures evaluation recommendations lead to action through Identifying responsible stakeholders for each recommendation, Monitoring the implementation of follow-up actions and Conducting reviews one year later to assess progress. -Example: After one year, the evaluation manager checks whether the recommended sanitation improvements were implemented at Mkamba Health Center. #EvaluationPhase #Monitoring #Consultancy #Research