As an independent company, impartiality and confidentiality is assured. It is vitally important that the impact, effectiveness and efficiency of programmes and projects is evaluated from both a qualitative and quantitative perspective. The Explosive Capabilities evaluation process attempts to determine as systematically and objectively as possible the merit or value of an intervention.
Explosive Capabilities has extensive experience in the monitoring and evaluation of projects and programmes, addressing it from the identification of all Inputs through objective evidence based analysis of Outputs and Outcomes. All monitoring and evaluation is conducted in accordance with PRINCE 2 methodology and OECD DAC guidance.
It is often relatively simple to determine whether the 'job has been done right' in terms of efficiency and financial probity, it is much more difficult to establish whether 'the right job has been done' in terms of effectiveness and impact. In order to determine whether the 'right job has been done', Explosive Capabilities evaluation systems examine:
- Effectiveness. Were the planned Outputs (and Outcomes) achieved in accordance with international 'best practices'?
- Efficiency. Did the inputs of the programme result in productive or cost-effective outputs?
- Relevance. Were the implied objectives set for the programme consistent with government and donor policies, and the requirements of the beneficiary communities?
- Sustainability. Were the capacity and capability of the intended and other benificiaries adequately developed to ensure that 'self sufficiency' was achieved for the future?
- Impact. What were the longer-term effects of the programme judged against implied Outcomes?
The Language of Results (1)
Inputs: The financial, human and material resources used by the programme.
Outputs: The goods and services, which are directly produced by a project or programme.
(Intermediate) Outcomes: The short- and medium-term effects arising from people making use of the outputs delivered by a project or programme, (e.g. increased weapons security leading to lower weapons proliferation).
(Final) Outcomes (Impact): The long-term and sustained effects (positive and negative) arising from a project or programme, (e.g. improved perceptions of human security resulting in increased economic investment and less national capital spent on internal security).
The Language of Results (2)
Effectiveness: The extent to which a programme achieves its planned results (goals, purposes and outputs) and contributes to outcomes.
Efficiency: The optimal transformation of inputs into outputs.
Relevance: The degree to which the objectives of the programme remain valid and pertinent as originally planned, or as subsequently modified owing to changing circumstances within the immediate context and external environment of the programme.
Sustainability: The durability of positive programme results after termination of the programme.