Transforming evaluation: harnessing geographic information systems and technology

Moderator

• Harvey Garcia, UNDP IEO, Evaluation Specialist

Panelists

• Anupam Anand, Global Environment Facility, World Bank Group, Senior Evaluation Officer
• Liu Yongfeng, Guangdong International Engineering Consulting Corporation, China, Deputy General Manager
• Serdar Bayryyev,  Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
• Toshiuki Yokota, Principal Evaluation Specialist, Asian Development Bank, Senior Evaluation Officer
• Virginia Ziulu, World Bank Group Independent Evaluation Group, Data Scientist

Discussion Themes

• Geospatial technologies are revolutionizing evaluation by providing precise, timely and cost-effective insights into project impacts. By integrating geographic information systems (GIS) with traditional evaluation methods, evaluators can better assess relevance, coherence and long-term sustainability, particularly in complex and inaccessible areas.
• Geospatial analysis—including remote sensing, drone imagery, machine learning, GIS tools such as Collect Earth Online, social network analysis and GIS visualizations—can increase the coherence of evaluations, promote synergies among humanitarian and development actors in complex environments, and reduce costs.
• It is important to triangulate GIS data with other evidence sources, stakeholder consultations and economic analyses for comprehensive evaluations.
• Technologies such as big data, AI, machine learning, real-time data collection, cloud-based GIS solutions, 3D mapping and digital twins enable evaluators to process large data sets, assess programme impacts in real time, access remote areas, collaborate and share data, simulate scenarios, and gain insights from unconventional data sources.
• Ethical considerations such as data privacy, bias and inclusivity are important elements of technology use in evaluation that need to be addressed by the evaluator and commissioners of evaluation.
• Capacity-building and learning on the use of new technologies, robust data management systems, and significant investments in infrastructure and resources are required to realize the full potential of these technologies in producing comprehensive and timely evaluation.
• To fully leverage the potential of GIS in evaluation, it is crucial to build capacity among evaluators and institutions, standardize methodologies, and promote collaboration between technical experts and evaluators. This ensures consistent, impactful use of geospatial data in decision-making.