What is a results framework and how is it used in evaluation planning?

• A. A framework to describe expected outcomes and activities.
• B. A numeric scoring system for program results.
• C. A structured representation of objectives, outcomes, outputs, activities; used to align indicators and questions.
• D. A narrative summary of evaluation findings.

Answer: (C)

A results framework is a structured map that links a program’s objectives through outputs and activities to the intended outcomes and overall impact, making the causal path clear and testable. In evaluation planning, this map guides what to measure and how to measure it. It helps define indicators at each level—inputs/activities, outputs, short- and long-term outcomes, and impact—and connects them to data sources, collection methods, and evaluation questions that reflect the program’s theory of change. By laying out the chain from what you do to what you expect to achieve, it clarifies what information you need, who collects it, when it’s collected, and how you will determine whether progress is happening. It also typically includes components like assumptions and risks that could affect the pathway, and it aids communication with stakeholders and alignment across planning, implementation, and evaluation. This is why the option describing a structured representation of objectives, outcomes, outputs, and activities, used to align indicators and questions, is the best fit. The other descriptions are more limited: a simple description of expected outcomes and activities omits measurement alignment and the full pathway; a numeric scoring system focuses on measurement format rather than the framework itself; and a narrative summary of findings refers to results after the fact, not planning.