Centralized quality assurance
The objective of Central Quality Assurance is to generate added value for German Sparkassenstiftung as a whole by exchanging knowledge and best practice within projects, but also by illuminating and, where necessary, improving processes. To this end, three ongoing projects are randomly selected in December each year. In these three projects, an internal quality review is carried out on site, during which the following topics are examined and illuminated in terms of content: (1) project management and processes, (2) communication and (3) other special features that may be transferred to other projects. On the basis of a report with recommendations for action, an activity plan is drawn up for German Sparkassenstiftung with measures, responsibilities and deadlines for implementing quality assurance and quality improvement measures.
Decentralized quality assurance
In many cases, decentralized quality assurance is based on specifications from the donor. It usually takes place in the form of project progress reviews, which are usually carried out six months before the end of each project phase on site by external experts with experience in development policy. The evaluation of the project progress is based on an analysis of the following aspects: (1) framework conditions, (2) project design / impact logic / levels of impact, (3) evaluation based on the OECD-DAC criteria (relevance, effectiveness, economic efficiency, overaching impact, sustainability), (4) cross-cutting topics and (5) review of project documentation. Recommendations for action are provided in a final report. This combines a critical analytical review of the impacts with a strategic outlook on the future of the project.
German Sparkassenstiftung is a member of the German Society for Evaluation (DeGEval) and takes part in the annual meetings of the evaluation units of German DC organisations which are coordinated by the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).