Timely evaluations produce results when they are needed to inform decision making while using appropriate, rigorous designs. While traditionally evaluations are carried out at the end of a programme, this brief explores methods for evaluation during the course of a programme. Such approaches are important for informing decisions on project design for which information is needed in a timely manner. Timely evaluations can be used when trying out new intervention approaches, when working in a new context, or when the context is rapidly changing.