Much of the contentof this topic came from this book:This document provides guidance toward planning and implementingan evaluation process for for-profit or nonprofit programs -there are many kinds of evaluations that can be applied to programs,for example, goals-based, process-based and outcomes-based. Nonprofitorganizations are increasingly interested in outcomes-based evaluation.If you are interested in learning more about outcomes-based evaluation,then see the sectionsand. Sections of This Topic IncludeAlso considerLearn More in the Library's Blogs Related to Program EvaluationsIn addition to the articles on this current page, see the following blogs whichhave posts related to Program Evaluations.
Scan down the blog's page to seevarious posts. Also see the section 'Recent Blog Posts' in the sidebarof the blog or click on 'next' near the bottom of a post in the blog.A Brief Introduction.Note that the concept of program evaluation can include a widevariety of methods to evaluate many aspects of programs in nonprofitor for-profit organizations. There are numerous books and othermaterials that provide in-depth analysis of evaluations, theirdesigns, methods, combination of methods and techniques of analysis.However, personnel do not have to be experts in these topics tocarry out a useful program evaluation. The '20-80' ruleapplies here, that 20% of effort generates 80% of the needed results.It's better to do what might turn out to be an average effortat evaluation than to do no evaluation at all.
(Besides, if youresort to bringing in an evaluation consultant, you should bea smart consumer. Far too many program evaluations generate informationthat is either impractical or irrelevant - if the informationis understood at all.) This document orients personnel to thenature of program evaluation and how it can be carried out ina realistic and practical fashion.Note that much of the information in this section was gleanedfrom various works of Michael Quinn Patton.Program Evaluation Some Myths About Program Evaluation1. Many people believe evaluation is a useless activity thatgenerates lots of boring data with useless conclusions. This wasa problem with evaluations in the past when program evaluationmethods were chosen largely on the basis of achieving completescientific accuracy, reliability and validity.
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This approach oftengenerated extensive data from which very carefully chosen conclusionswere drawn. Generalizations and recommendations were avoided.As a result, evaluation reports tended to reiterate the obviousand left program administrators disappointed and skeptical aboutthe value of evaluation in general. More recently (especiallyas a result of Michael Patton's development of utilization-focusedevaluation), evaluation has focused on utility, relevance andpracticality at least as much as scientific validity.2.
Many people believe that evaluation is about proving thesuccess or failure of a program. This myth assumes that successis implementing the perfect program and never having to hear fromemployees, customers or clients again - the program will nowrun itself perfectly. This doesn't happen in real life.
Successis remaining open to continuing feedback and adjusting the programaccordingly. Evaluation gives you this continuing feedback.3. Many believe that evaluation is a highly unique and complexprocess that occurs at a certain time in a certain way, and almostalways includes the use of outside experts.
Many people believethey must completely understand terms such as validity and reliability.They don't have to. They do have to consider what informationthey need in order to make current decisions about program issuesor needs. And they have to be willing to commit to understandingwhat is really going on. Note that many people regularly undertakesome nature of program evaluation - they just don't do it ina formal fashion so they don't get the most out of their effortsor they make conclusions that are inaccurate (some evaluatorswould disagree that this is program evaluation if not done methodically).Consequently, they miss precious opportunities to make more ofdifference for their customer and clients, or to get a biggerbang for their buck. So What is Program Evaluation?First, we'll consider 'what is a program?' Typically,organizations work from their mission to identify several overallgoals which must be reached to accomplish their mission.
In nonprofits,each of these goals often becomes a program. Nonprofit programsare organized methods to provide certain related services to constituents,e.g., clients, customers, patients, etc.
Programs must be evaluatedto decide if the programs are indeed useful to constituents. Ina for-profit, a program is often a one-time effort to producea new product or line of products.So, still, what is program evaluation? Program evaluation is carefullycollecting information about a program or some aspect of a programin order to make necessary decisions about the program. Programevaluation can include any or a variety of at least 35 differenttypes of evaluation, such as for needs assessments, accreditation,cost/benefit analysis, effectiveness, efficiency, formative, summative,goal-based, process, outcomes, etc. The type of evaluation youundertake to improve your programs depends on what you want tolearn about the program. Don't worry about what type of evaluationyou need or are doing - worry about what you need to know tomake the program decisions you need to make, and worry about howyou can accurately collect and understand that information.Where Program Evaluation is Helpful Frequent Reasons:Program evaluation can:1. Understand, verify or increase the impact of products or serviceson customers or clients - These 'outcomes' evaluationsare increasingly required by nonprofit funders as verificationthat the nonprofits are indeed helping their constituents.
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Toooften, service providers (for-profit or nonprofit) rely on theirown instincts and passions to conclude what their customers orclients really need and whether the products or services are providingwhat is needed. Over time, these organizations find themselvesin a lot of guessing about what would be a good product or service,and trial and error about how new products or services could bedelivered.2. Improve delivery mechanisms to be more efficient and less costly- Over time, product or service delivery ends up to be an inefficientcollection of activities that are less efficient and more costlythan need be. Evaluations can identify program strengths and weaknessesto improve the program.3. Verify that you're doing what you think you're doing - Typically,plans about how to deliver services, end up changing substantiallyas those plans are put into place. Evaluations can verify if theprogram is really running as originally planned.
Other Reasons:Program evaluation can:4. Facilitate management's really thinking about what their programis all about, including its goals, how it meets it goals and howit will know if it has met its goals or not.5. Produce data or verify results that can be used for publicrelations and promoting services in the community.6. Produce valid comparisons between programs to decide whichshould be retained, e.g., in the face of pending budget cuts.7.
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