Set realistic time horizons and keep data collection plans flexible. Often there are delays in large infrastructure projects. The data collection plan for the Armenia roads project was agreed upon early in the compact with the National Statistical Service of the Republic of Armenia. Data collection proceeded as planned, but due to unforeseen events in Armenia, there were only 1 to 2 years after road rehabilitation before final data collection took place. This limits the learning from the evaluation as it is not clear if the lack of impact on medium and long term outcomes is due to the limited exposure period or if the road rehabilitation really had a negligible impact on household well-being. From the beginning, implementers and evaluators should build into the evaluation design actions for mitigating risk to the evaluation associated with delays in implementation.
Lesson Learned