processutvärdering

Processutvärdering, or process evaluation, is a method used to examine how a program, project, or policy is implemented. It focuses on the delivery process—activities, participant reach, resources, roles, and context—in order to understand why a program achieves or fails to achieve its intended effects.

The primary purpose is to support learning and improvement during implementation. It complements outcome and impact evaluations by identifying fidelity to the original design, adaptations made in practice, the dose or intensity of the intervention, and barriers or facilitators to delivery. It also helps explain heterogeneity in results across sites or groups.

Key elements include fidelity/adherence to planned activities, dosage or exposure, reach or penetration among the target population, context factors, and modifications implemented during delivery. Data sources typically include program records, administrative data, interviews or focus groups with staff and participants, direct observations, and process maps or logic models.

Common methods involve mixed data collection, including qualitative insights and quantitative indicators, followed by iterative analysis to generate actionable recommendations. Findings are usually reported to program teams and stakeholders to adjust implementation strategies, allocate resources, or redesign components.

Processutvärdering is most often used formatively during implementation (formative evaluation) but can also aid interpretability in later outcome evaluations. Challenges include resource demands, data quality, attribution of effects to delivery practices, and managing contextual variation. Ethically, it requires transparency, data privacy, and constructive feedback loops.