IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/wly/jintdv/v38y2026i6p989-998.html

Navigating Metrics: Disparities and Challenges in Project Evaluations Across Global Development Organisations

Author

Listed:
  • Bryan Cook
  • Elizabeth Jackson
  • Paul Alexander

Abstract

This study examines variations in project evaluation practices among 10 major international development organisations and their alignment with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Based on a mixed‐methods analysis of 4112 project evaluation reports (2015–2017 and 2020–2022) across six regions and 11 sectors, it reveals persistent methodological disparities, arising from differences in Likert scales, rubrics and the adoption of OECD‐DAC 2019 evaluation criteria revisions. These inconsistencies undermine comparability and accountability. Content analysis shows only approximately 20% of reports explicitly map micro‐level project outcomes to specific SDG indicators. Cost analysis highlights widespread transparency gaps and substantial variation in underruns and overruns. Greater harmonisation of evaluation frameworks is essential to strengthen accountability and value for money in ODA flows.

Suggested Citation

  • Bryan Cook & Elizabeth Jackson & Paul Alexander, 2026. "Navigating Metrics: Disparities and Challenges in Project Evaluations Across Global Development Organisations," Journal of International Development, John Wiley & Sons, Ltd., vol. 38(6), pages 989-998, August.
    • Handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:38:y:2026:i:6:p:989-998
    DOI: 10.1002/jid.70105
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://doi.org/10.1002/jid.70105
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://libkey.io/10.1002/jid.70105?utm_source=ideas
    LibKey link: if access is restricted and if your library uses this service, LibKey will redirect you to where you can use your library subscription to access this item
    ---><---

    More about this item

    Statistics

    Access and download statistics

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:wly:jintdv:v:38:y:2026:i:6:p:989-998. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    We have no bibliographic references for this item. You can help adding them by using this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: Wiley Content Delivery (email available below). General contact details of provider: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/5102/home .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.