Abstract
This Synthetic Note examines the gap between CGIAR’s strategic ambition for system-wide evaluability and the current maturity of its data systems and evidence architecture. Drawing on four evaluative studies conducted between 2023 and 2026, it identifies recurring institutional constraints related to governance, semantic interoperability, data provenance, and the utility of reporting systems for learning and Value for Money (VfM). While CGIAR has advanced toward more transparent and federated data systems, persistent fragmentation, inconsistent data standards, and reliance on manual reconciliation continue to limit evaluability and adaptive management. The Note argues that the main barriers are organizational rather than technical, with evaluation still treated largely as a retrospective reporting exercise instead of a governing principle for evidence-based decision-making. It proposes four strategic priorities—institutionalizing data governance, enforcing semantic harmonization, formalizing data provenance, and designing for utility and ROI—to strengthen CGIAR’s evidence culture and support more credible, interoperable, and decision-ready data systems.
Citation
CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES). 2026. Strengthening the System-Wide Architecture for Data Quality Assurance to Support Evaluability: Synthesis Note. Rome: Evaluation Function
Publisher
CGIAR Independent Advisory and Evaluation Service (IAES)
