developing an evaluation strategy

Developing an Evaluation Strategy

George Selvanera

Senior Consultant

Cordis Bright Ltd

Georgeselvanera@cordisbright.co.uk

020 7247 8249

Session Objectives

• How to decide specific evaluation objectives

• How to use monitoring data in determining evaluation objectives

How to decide specific evaluation objectives

1. What stage are we at in our programme?A 5th or 6th wave programme might be concerned, for example, to explore the process and partnership expectations and experiences to date.Trailblazers and early waves might be concerned, for example, to explore the impact of specific innovations and/or whether specific projects are meeting objectives and how these ways of working might contribute to the wider mainstream.

2. How to develop the questions?

1. Examine past evaluation reports2. Establish a monitoring and evaluation sub-group3. Involving the board, parents representatives,

service providers4. Your own experience5. Discussions with your NESS evaluation officer

and/or internal and.or external evaluators6. The wider strategic priorities of your borough7. Your monitoring data

3. What could monitoring data offer?1. Helps identify take-up of services – where are

there gaps in service delivery? Where are there success stories

2. Which groups are using specific services? And which groups are not, by definition, using specific services?

3. Which groups overall are most engaged with the programme? Which groups are less engaged with the programme?

4. Given levels of take-up overall and for specific projects, what does this tell us in terms of potential value for money?

4. What does this tell us?1. The outcomes of evaluation should help

programme management or other providers do their jobs better in meeting the needs of local families. Given this, the evaluation questions should help focus on outcomes.

2. While there are many sources for determining appropriate evaluation questions, collaborating with key stakeholders helps ensure that priority outcomes determine the evaluation focus

3. Determining appropriate evaluation questions is context-specific

4. Robust monitoring data helps evidence and focus evaluation efforts