METRONOME - Methodology for Evaluation of Project Impacts in the Field of Transport
Overview
Background & policy context:
The METRONOME project (A Methodology for Evaluation of Project Impacts in the Field of Transport) was financed under the 7th Framework Programme (FP7) of the European Commission.
Objectives:
The project aimed to develop a methodology for evaluating project achievements supported in FP5 and FP6 with particular focus on:
- Strengthening industrial competitiveness (IndCo);
- Contributing to sustainable development (SuD);
- and Improving community and public policies (CPP).
The expected impact set for the project was to use the results and findings from the FP5 and FP6 projects to contribute to the definition of intermediate performance targets for FP7 and new research policy objectives.
The developed METRONOME screening, selection and evaluation methodology has three main phases:
- Identification of European transport research and policy objectives for Industrial Competitiveness, Sustainable Development, and community and Public Policies;
- Screening and selection of FP5 and FP6 themes and projects for the evaluation, and
- Evaluating project impacts through the METRONOME impact model, using a multifaceted approach.
Methodology:
The methodology takes a two-dimensional approach to project impact evaluation. On the one hand, it evaluates the projects' achievements in light of the FP5 and FP6 work programme objectives and targets set for IndCo, SuD and CPP themes. On the other hand, it evaluates, through the METRONOME impact model, the impacts of the FP research projects according to four impact groups and related indicators. The impact groups are:
- impacts on management and co-ordination;
- scientific impacts;
- customer/end user impacts;
- and societal impacts.
In general, the METRONOME evaluation methodology proved to be useful in producing information for the definition of intermediate performance targets for FP7 and of new research policy objectives from the perspectives of:
- achieving the FP5 and FP6 objectives and targets;
- FP5 and FP6 implementation and operational environment;
- and research project outcomes and impacts. Testing the methodology illustrated that different mixes of evaluation methods (both reviewing and surveying) are needed to gain in-depth information on both FP target achievement and potential project impacts over various time perspectives.
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