Critical analysis & evaluation
Resource 1
Differentiating between evaluative and critical writing
Top tip
Use evaluation to judge how something performed. Use critical analysis to ask why it performed that way, what could have been different and what it really means for your organisation.
Key Differences:
• Evaluative writing focuses on making reasoned judgments based on set criteria (e.g. effectiveness, impact).
• Critical writing goes deeper by analysing underlying assumptions, examining multiple perspectives and questioning evidence or arguments.
Evaluative writing characteristics:
• Based on clear criteria (e.g. success, efficiency)
• Weighs strengths and weaknesses
• Reaches a judgment or recommendation
• Common in performance reviews, project reflections
Critical writing characteristics:
• Identifies and questions assumptions
• Examines implications and consequences
• Engages with alternative perspectives
• Often used in academic or strategic analysis
To summarise:
Critical analysis is about examining ideas in dept - questioning assumptions, exploring alternative perspectives and identifying implications.
Evaluative writing, on the other hand, is about making reasoned judgments based on clear criteria, assessing strengths and weaknesses and drawing conclusions.
Both are essential, but they serve different purposes in professional and academic writing.
Resource 2
Extract A
"A new digital attendance system was introduced across all departments in September. Staff were invited to attend two online training sessions, covering the basic functions of the platform. Weekly attendance reports were automatically generated by the system and emailed to team leaders. Support materials were also uploaded to the staff intranet."
Extract B
"The introduction of the new digital attendance system increased data reporting speed but caused inconsistencies across departments. While some team leaders quickly adopted the system, others experienced delays, particularly where training attendance had been low. Although the platform’s automation features were beneficial, the short training sessions limited overall effectiveness. A longer onboarding process may have improved confidence and consistency."
Extract C
"The digital attendance system was designed to streamline monitoring processes; however, it relied heavily on the assumption that all staff had a similar level of digital literacy. This oversight led to disparities in system uptake and data quality across departments. Additionally, a lack of consultation with end-users during selection meant that key concerns, such as integration with existing systems, were not addressed. Future projects should prioritise stakeholder engagement to avoid similar pitfalls."