What Counts as Evidence of Implementation?

1. Start with the claim

State exactly what is claimed to have been implemented. A policy announcement, an approved budget, an operational activity and a measured outcome are different claims and require different evidence.

2. Check the official rule

Locate the policy, law, notification, programme guideline or administrative order that defines the commitment. Record the issuing authority, date and relevant provision.

3. Look for administrative evidence

Depending on the claim, useful records may include implementation orders, official service directories, administrative reports, published expenditure records, programme dashboards or documented delivery procedures.

4. Check data and definitions

For numerical evidence, record the reporting period, unit, population covered, denominator and definition of each indicator. Do not compare figures that measure different things without explaining the differences.

5. Look for independent evaluation

Audits, evaluations, legislative reports and credible independent research may help assess implementation. Check the methods, scope, limitations and date of each source.

6. Consider people’s reported experiences

Field observations, interviews and testimonials can add context when gathered ethically and with appropriate consent. Protect personal information and distinguish individual experiences from evidence about an entire population.

7. Compare the paper and the practice

Compare the official commitment with documented delivery arrangements, administrative evidence and available outcome information. Record differences without assuming that missing information proves failure.

8. Assess evidence quality

For every important claim, record its source, publication date, verification date, scope and limitations. Identify whether the evidence directly supports the claim or only provides background context.

9. Record alternative explanations

Consider differences in eligibility, reporting periods, geographic coverage, administrative capacity and data quality. State what additional evidence would help resolve uncertainty.

10. Reach a proportionate conclusion

Describe what the available evidence supports, what remains uncertain and what needs further verification. Do not claim success or failure more strongly than the evidence allows.

Important note

This is a general evidence-assessment framework, not a finding about any particular policy or programme. Conclusions require relevant, dated and verifiable sources.