This note introduces the overall purpose and methodology for the conduct of major evaluations of strategies, institutional issues, themes and Programmes1. These evaluations are requested by the member countries of FAO in the Governing Bodies and senior management in FAO. It is intended to provide general information for member country governments, development agencies and other partners, and for FAO staff on the approach which is followed in such evaluations. To some extent, this note is a description of the ideal in that, due to exigencies of budget, timetable or logistics, intensity of work may vary on some of the steps, but not the basics of the analytical and working approach.