Project evaluation is the systematic assessment of a project’s structures, processes and outcomes. By turning data into insight, organisations can reduce risk, boost innovation and maximise ROI.
Why an Evaluation Questionnaire Is Indispensable
A well-structured evaluation questionnaire gathers stakeholder feedback, links it to key performance indicators (KPIs) and reveals improvement opportunities—an essential building block of professional project management in line with the PMI PMBOK® Guide.
10 Evaluation Questions You Should Be Asking
- Was the original project goal achieved?
Compare planned versus actual KPIs for scope, schedule and budget; visualise any variances in dashboards. - If not, what prevented goal attainment?
Analyse resource constraints, communication gaps and market changes—then prioritise corrective action. - What problems arose and how were they resolved?
Document critical incidents, decision paths and lessons learned to avoid repeat issues. - What worked particularly well?
Capture success factors (e.g. agile sprints, daily stand-ups) as best practices for future projects. - Which resources or capabilities were missing?
Identify skill gaps and tool deficits; plan targeted up-skilling or investments. - Which new methods were piloted—and with what result?
Evaluate approaches like rapid prototyping or AI-driven road-mapping for effectiveness and ROI. - What should change at the planning stage of similar projects?
Refine goal setting, stakeholder analysis, risk registers and milestone planning. - Which process adjustments are advisable during execution?
Improve communication workflows, change control and quality gates. - How can the project’s insights enhance other business processes?
Apply findings to upgrade SOPs, OKRs and portfolio governance. - What are the three most important learnings?
Summarise key takeaways concisely—perfect for knowledge bases and team retrospectives.
Practical Tips for High-Impact Project Evaluation
- Use a mixed methodology: combine online surveys, structured interviews and post-mortem workshops (see Harvard Business Review: “Performing a Project Premortem”).
- Plan review timing: run pulse checks during the project and a full post-mortem within one week after completion, following the HBS note “Learning from Projects”.
- Leverage ready-made templates: try the Sample Project Evaluation Template (PDF, Smartsheet) or the Project Post-Mortem Checklist (PDF).
- Share the findings: present results in a closing workshop with leadership to secure commitment for improvements.
Additional Resources & Templates
- PMBOK® Guide – Process Overview (PDF, PMI)
- Lessons Learned Guide (Association for Project Management, UK)
- Project Post-Mortem Template (ProjectManagement.com)
Conclusion
A well-designed project evaluation questionnaire doesn’t just provide answers— it lights the path to higher performance in future projects. The questions and resources above offer a data-driven foundation for evaluations that deliver real value to management and stakeholders alike.
