There are four key terms for four key concepts: Monitoring, Evaluation, Impact Assessment and Performance Assessment. These are complementary but distinct concepts.

Different types of terminology have been used to refer to evaluative exercises that take place at different points in the project/programme cycle.

What is the difference between internal and external evaluation? When is an evaluation formative or summative? What about lesson learning and accountability?

There are many types of evaluation study. They differ in their primary objectives, their subjects, timing and orientation.

Terms such as monitoring, evaluation, impact assessment and performance assessment describe complex processes. These separate processes are hard to define because they interact with each other. These processes are also developing and changing.

The international development evaluation world is full of acronyms. They are often a block to communication and understanding. The most commonly used acronyms are presented here.