Evaluation design matrix worksheet

Copy KEQs and subsidiary questions into the first column, then complete each row from left to right. Align judgment criteria, necessary indicators, sources, collection methods, analysis, responsibilities and deadlines. Choose quantitative and qualitative indicators as needed and explain unused fields.

When to use this worksheet and what completion involves Fictional completed example

EvalCompass Worksheet

Evaluation design matrix worksheet

Method: Evaluation Design Matrix

Basic information

Enter an overview of the evaluation

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

Program and evaluation name: Community counseling service intake improvement evaluation (fictional)
Evaluation period: September–November 2026
Lead evaluator: Evaluation officer A
Date prepared and version number: September 13, 2026; draft 1

Reason for this entry: Work backward from the meeting requiring findings to set collection deadlines.

Program and evaluation name

Evaluation period

Lead evaluator

Date prepared and version number

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Enter an overview of the evaluation

Work backward from the meeting requiring findings to set collection deadlines.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Follow each field’s heading to record the program name, focus, period, and other details. Leave undecided matters clearly marked as unresolved.

Read the full fictional example

Main matrix

Enter items needed for each KEQ and subsidiary question; explain unused quantitative or qualitative indicator fields

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

KEQ / subsidiary question	Judgment criteria	Indicators (quantitative)	Indicators (qualitative)	Data source	Collection method	Analysis method	Person responsible	Deadline
Does current intake reach those who need the service?	Can explain reasons for non-use by time slot and possible responses	Unique users by time slot, with duplicates removed	Reasons for hesitating to use the service	Intake records and consenting residents	Record tabulation and voluntary individual interviews	Compare counts by time slot with categorized reasons	Evaluation officer A	November 15, 2026

Reason for this entry: Check quantities and reasons using separate sources for a single question.

Scroll horizontally to view the table

KEQ / subsidiary question	Judgment criteria	Indicators (quantitative)	Indicators (qualitative)	Data source	Collection method	Analysis method	Person responsible	Deadline

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Enter items needed for each KEQ and subsidiary question; explain unused quantitative or qualitative indicator fields

Check quantities and reasons using separate sources for a single question.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Keep the information in each row aligned. Scroll wide tables horizontally to see every column.

Read the full fictional example

Data collection schedule overview

Describe the timeline of major data collection events

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

Check record definitions in September. Conduct interviews and tabulate data in October; discuss interpretations with resident collaborators and staff in November and present them at the budget meeting.

Reason for this entry: Allow time for interpretation and use after collection.

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

Describe the timeline of major data collection events

Allow time for interpretation and use after collection.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Use the example as a reference and record what you have established about your own program. Distinguish assumptions and unchecked matters from confirmed facts.

Read the full fictional example

Completion checklist

Completed example for this section (fictional)

This fictional example is for explanation. Adapt it to your own program. Your entries will not change.

☑ Checked: Every KEQ has subsidiary questions and judgment criteria
☑ Checked: Necessary quantitative and qualitative indicators are selected and unused fields explained
☑ Checked: Each indicator has a corresponding source and collection method
☑ Checked: Each row has a responsible person and deadline
☐ Not checked: Commissioner review and approval have been obtained

Reason for this entry: This is a draft plan; commissioner review is scheduled for late September.

Every KEQ has subsidiary questions and judgment criteria
Necessary quantitative and qualitative indicators are selected and unused fields explained
Each indicator has a corresponding source and collection method
Each row has a responsible person and deadline
Commissioner review and approval have been obtained

Writing tips and explanation for this section

About this section

This is a draft plan; commissioner review is scheduled for late September.

View the method explanation

Writing tips

Read each item and check those you have confirmed. Do not use the fictional example’s checkbox states as findings about your own program.

Read the full fictional example

Before writing, check when to use the worksheet and what completion involves

Evaluation design matrix worksheet is a worksheet for applying Evaluation Design Matrix in meetings or individual work. For the overall duration of the method, use “Illustrative estimate (adjust for scale and staffing): 1–2 days (after evaluation questions are finalized)” as a reference, adjusting for scale and resources. Fill in what you know provisionally and leave unresolved matters as questions to check next.

When this worksheet is useful

Preparing a detailed data collection and analysis plan after KEQs are finalized
Clarifying the role of each method in evaluations combining quantitative and qualitative data collection
Clarifying responsibilities within an evaluation team with multiple members

Participants and preparation

Evaluation officers (lead evaluator and data collectors). Finalize after commissioner review. Working with 2–5 people is an illustrative plan; adjust staffing to evaluation scale and required roles.

Bring the materials used for decisions, existing data, and differing stakeholder views to help complete the worksheet.

Suggested order

1. Basic informationEnter an overview of the evaluation
2. Main matrixEnter items needed for each KEQ and subsidiary question; explain unused quantitative or qualitative indicator fields
3. Data collection schedule overviewDescribe the timeline of major data collection events
4. Completion checklist

Signs the worksheet is ready for review

Evaluation design matrix (overview table)
Data collection plan
Evaluation team responsibility table

Cautions for review

Writing only “achievement rate” or “satisfaction” in indicator fields without specifying measurement
Listing only method names while omitting the sample, participants, timing and responsibility
Filling in only quantitative data when a question requires qualitative information, leaving collection and analysis undesigned

Guides to read before starting

Read a completed fictional example (your entries will not change)

Fictional example; not actual results

The following fictional example identifies records needed to evaluate improvements to counseling service intake.

Basic information

Program and evaluation name: Community counseling service intake improvement evaluation (fictional)
Evaluation period: September–November 2026
Lead evaluator: Evaluation officer A
Date prepared and version number: September 13, 2026; draft 1

Reason for this entry: Work backward from the meeting requiring findings to set collection deadlines.

Main matrix

Scroll horizontally to view the table

KEQ / subsidiary question	Judgment criteria	Indicators (quantitative)	Indicators (qualitative)	Data source	Collection method	Analysis method	Person responsible	Deadline
Does current intake reach those who need the service?	Can explain reasons for non-use by time slot and possible responses	Unique users by time slot, with duplicates removed	Reasons for hesitating to use the service	Intake records and consenting residents	Record tabulation and voluntary individual interviews	Compare counts by time slot with categorized reasons	Evaluation officer A	November 15, 2026

Reason for this entry: Check quantities and reasons using separate sources for a single question.

Data collection schedule overview

Reason for this entry: Allow time for interpretation and use after collection.

Completion checklist

☑ Checked: Every KEQ has subsidiary questions and judgment criteria
☑ Checked: Necessary quantitative and qualitative indicators are selected and unused fields explained
☑ Checked: Each indicator has a corresponding source and collection method
☑ Checked: Each row has a responsible person and deadline
☐ Not checked: Commissioner review and approval have been obtained

Reason for this entry: This is a draft plan; commissioner review is scheduled for late September.

Common errors in judgment

Writing only “questionnaire” as an information source

How to revise: Specify whom to ask, when, and which survey items address each evaluation question

Reason: The method name alone does not show whether the question can be answered.

Making it a goal to fill every row with both quantitative and qualitative information

How to revise: Choose needed information types and explain unused fields

Reason: Evidence suited to the question matters, rather than the number of methods.

Editorial and checking information

Content updated: 2026-10-06Source checked: 2026-09-13 (includes AI cross-checking)No documented human reviewIncludes fictional examplesEditorial policy and scope of checking Cite this page Report a correction

References and checked sections

How to Manage Gender-Responsive Evaluation: Evaluation Handbook
UN Women · 2015
Section consulted
Tool 8: Evaluation matrix template, p. 138
How it relates to the text
Adapt the illustrative matrix items to the evaluation being conducted.
Source checked: 2026-09-13 (includes AI cross-checking)

How to cite this page

EvalCompass Editorial Team. “Evaluation design matrix worksheet”. EvalCompass, updated 2026-10-06. https://evalcompass.jun-nakatani.com/en/worksheets/evaluation-matrix/

Add the date you accessed the page. Text created by this site is available under CC BY 4.0. Quotations, external materials, and bundled fonts have their own terms of use. When reusing content, credit the source, link to the license, and indicate any changes.

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Change history

2026-10-06 — Aligned instructions for selecting necessary indicators with the completion checklist and repaired an incomplete staffing sentence.
2026-09-13 — Updated explanations to correspond to the sources and added method-specific fictional completed examples, judgment examples and a change log.