The evaluation, a process review, focused on changes in country processes from the design and implementation of PRS processes and the effectiveness of the World Bank's support, rather than assessing their poverty reduction impact, given the short time since their introduction. Bank assistance for the PRS Initiative includes the quality of the Bank's support for preparing and implementing PRSPs, as well as the degree of alignment of the Bank's financial and non-financial assistance to the country's poverty reduction strategy. The evaluation used country case studies, thematic studies and cross-country analyses, stakeholder surveys, group and individual interviews as sources for evaluative material. This material was supplemented by two stakeholder workshops, an entry workshop in Washington D.C. to receive input on the scope and methodology of the evaluation, and a cross-country workshop of national stakeholders in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to compare findings across the case studies. Emphasis was on the experience in the countries with full PRSPs completed by 2002.

The study also drew heavily on completed and ongoing evaluations of PRSP implementation by other institutions. The IEG study involved collaboration with the IMF's Independent Evaluation Office which has conducted a concomitant evaluation of the PRSP/PRGF and the effectiveness of IMF support. The final report was discussed by the Bank's Board in July of 2004 and is expected to be distributed broadly to governments and stakeholders.