"This guide is intended to help people to understand the underlying principles of evaluation, in order to be clearer about its uses and limitations. It will deal with questions such as what evaluation actually is and why it is useful; when it is inappropriate; how to develop programmes and projects that can be effectively evaluated; the steps necessary for planning an evaluation; and how to use evaluation to improve development action. It will emphasise the dangers in not being clear about why an evaluation is being requested; the need to involve people; the political nature of evaluation and the importance of negotiation." (Introduction, page 11)