System Review Follow-Up: Improving Evaluation and Review Processes

Paper prepared by TAC, the CGIAR Secretariat, and the Impact Assessment and Evaluation Group (IAEG) in response to a request to TAC by the CGIAR Consultative Council for ideas on the implementation of Recommendation 14 by the System Review Panel.The paper considers six sub-recommendations found in the System Review. It discusses impact evaluation; external program and management reviews (EPMRs) including Center commissioned external reviews (CCERs); stripe reviews; reviews of systemwide programs; special reviews; monitoring of center annual and medium-term plans; assessing the external environment; and reviews commissioned by members.There are three recommendations for consideration of the Group: establishment of a review and evaluation task force to work for a three year period, reaffirmation of the desirability of strengthening the evaluation culture in the CGIAR, and renewed efforts by centers, TAC and review panels to make good use of CCERs. The document concludes with a set of initiatives for TAC action.Agenda document, CGIAR Mid Term Meeting, May 1999, discussed under the heading of Consultative Council Propositions on Governance.