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Transparency is a key principle of evaluation at USAID. As noted in USAID’s ADS 201.3.5.10:
“Evaluations at USAID should be...Transparent: Findings from evaluations will be shared as widely
as possible with a commitment to full and active disclosure.”
ADS 201.3.5.15 operationalizes this principle by requiring Operating Units to plan for evaluation
dissemination:
“Missions and Washington OUs must plan for dissemination and use of the planned evaluation.
Missions or Washington OUs should consider how key partners and other development actors
would best receive evaluation information and plan their communications products accordingly.”
ADS 201.3.5.18 further supports dissemination following the completion of the evaluation report:
“Missions and Washington OUs will promote transparency and learning by disseminating
evaluations when the evaluation report has been completed. Missions and OUs should follow the
dissemination plan developed during the evaluation planning stage. Missions and OUs should
openly discuss evaluation findings, conclusions, and recommendations with relevant partners,
donors, and other development actors.”
A dissemination plan helps ensure that evaluations are useful and shared effectively. This guidance
document and the associated template are intended to assist USAID Missions and Operating Units
develop a dissemination plan that satisfies the ADS requirements and USAID’s interest in transparency,
accountability, and learning. USAID Missions and OUs may use the dissemination plan template as a guide
to formulating and drafting dissemination plans.
Timing: Evaluation managers should begin initial planning for dissemination at the early stages of an
evaluation—after a decision to evaluate has been made but prior to completing the evaluation statement
of work (SOW). This way, dissemination activities can be written into the evaluation team’s SOW and
PROGRAM CYCLE GUIDANCE
Bureau
ADS 201 Additional Help
DEVELOPING AN EVALUATION DISSEMINATION
PLAN
Bureau
SEPTEMBER 2016 / PAGE 2
appropriately resourced and budgeted. As work progresses, the dissemination plan may be updated or
revised as needed based on new information or learning.
Components: The first step in developing an evaluation dissemination plan is identifying stakeholders.
With input from the program office, technical specialists, and implementing partners, identify the groups
and/or individuals who are likely to be affected by or interested in the evaluation results. A smaller group
of stakeholders (perhaps including the host government counterpart, key beneficiary groups, or local
research organizations) will be consulted during the design phase. Decide on who will be included in this
group during the stakeholder identification stage. Additional tools are available for stakeholder analysis.
For each identified stakeholder, think through USAID’s goal in disseminating the evaluation results. Are
we aiming to change policy? Influence the design of other projects or activities? Contribute to the
technical knowledge base? Satisfy accountability concerns? Attract a new partnership? Prevent repetition
of mistakes?
Articulating a goal for dissemination assists with the next step—identifying the appropriate
communication tools. These may include tools such as reports, briefs, blog posts, press releases, graphics,
and e-mails to listservs. They may also include more involved efforts including presentations, meetings,
facilitated workshops or discussions, videos, and journal articles. Again, for the identified stakeholders,
consider the most effective ways they receive and digest information and if there are existing forums or
channels through which to reach them. Factors to consider include:
● Literacy level and native language
● Access to the Internet, radio, or other sources of media
● Existing websites, journals, or email listservs where dissemination would be appropriate
● Planned events or decision-making points
● Resources available for design and editing
The evaluation manager should identify a responsible party and timeline for each dissemination activity. In
some cases, the development and dissemination of knowledge products from an evaluation would be
included in the SOW for the evaluator(s). In others, USAID or another stakeholder should take the lead.
For the timeline, consider external factors—such as the political cycle or project design decision points—
that may influence your communications objectives, and build in time for copyediting, design, and
translation, if necessary.
Finally, an evaluation dissemination plan may include products that are designed to monitor and
document the impact of the evaluation and the associated knowledge products. These may include, for
example, a follow-up survey or feedback forms at events.
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Limitations and exceptions: Before becoming publicly available, evaluation reports must be adjusted
to remove information that should not be shared publicly. Further information is provided in ADS
201mae Limitations to Disclosure and Exemptions to Public Dissemination of USAID Evaluation Reports.
