Internal evaluation refers to an evaluation conducted by an organization or program/project staff in which the evaluators are directly accountable to the organization being evaluated. As such, the primary responsibility for the internal evaluation lies with the organization itself. This differs from an external evaluation, which is an evaluation conducted by evaluators from outside of the organization being examined. Internal evaluation (sometimes referred to as in-house evaluation) is essential for organization and program management, as the emphasis is on the concerns and needs of the organization’s administrators, managers, and staff to assist the program managers in better understanding their program theory and improving program processes and outcomes. Furthermore, the internal evaluation process promotes utilization of evaluation findings, reflective practice, and organizational learning.

Michael Scriven points out ...