Introduction

IWMI's Impact Assessment Initiative commenced in 2002 with the development of a conceptual framework and implementation plan. The initiative is continuing to evolve and is thus highlighted as one of the key change management projects in IWMI's Strategic Plan 2004-2008. Since the establishment of the initial conceptual framework and implementation plan in 2002, IWMI has made considerable progress in a number of key areas related to impact assessment. First, IWMI is networking with the CGIAR Standing Panel on Impact Assessment Future Harvest Centers, and other research institutes. This has allowed IWMI to share experiences in and exchange ideas on the relatively challenging area of NRM impact assessment. Second, IWMI has undertaken a series of ex-post impact assessment (epIA) pilot studies. The objectives of these studies are to gauge the impact of specific IWMI activities and programs as well as to test a variety of methods and tools for measuring different impact types. Third, by leading the ICT-KM Knowledge Sharing in Research Program IWMI is exploring non-traditional approaches to complement epIA studies to assess and further foster the achievement of intended project outcomes and impacts.

This website provides details on IWMI's impact assessment program, including the conceptual framework and impact typology, links to recent IWMI impact assessment publications and other related documents, examples of outcomes from IWMI projects, as well as links to other CGIAR related impact assessment initiatives.