increasing impact understanding measurements of impact in evaluation june 2013 jennifer farley
TRANSCRIPT
INCREASING IMPACTUnderstanding Measurements of Impact in Evaluation
June 2013
Jennifer Farley
Overview• Why evaluate?• Evaluation:
• Types, Continuous Improvement and Neglect
• Outputs vs. Impact• Measures of Impact• Is impact good enough?• When it’s not good enough• Maximizing Evaluation• Questions
Why Evaluate?• Ensures Quality• Increases Knowledge• Prioritize Resources• Accountability• Demonstrate need and effectiveness• Marketable
(Russ-Eft & Preskill)
Types of Evaluation• Developmental• Formative• Summative• Monitoring and Auditing• Outcome Evaluation• Impact Evaluation• Performance Measurement
(Russ-Eft & Preskill)
Continuous Improvement
Evaluation
Top 10 Reasons Evaluation is Neglected
1. Misunderstanding the purpose and role of evaluation
2. Fear
3. Lack of Skills (Real or Perceived)
4. No one has asked for it
5. It is not used
6. Time-consuming
7. Perceived costs vs. Perceived benefit
8. Leaders already know what works
9. Prior experience
10. Lack of Value
(Russ-Eft & Preskill)
Outputs and Impact
Measures of Impact• Measures of Change
• Attitude, Knowledge and Behavior
• Comparison• Pre- and Post-program
• Calibration• Is the primary impact what is measured?• Is the program driving the measure, or is the measure driving the
program?
Is the Impact Good Enough?• Goals
• Program established goals• Funder established goals
• Comparison• Population level data
• Are the target and general population the same?• The continuum of evaluation and research
When Impact isn’t “Good Enough”• Re-calibrate Measures
• What is impact?• Participant focus groups
• What best measures impact?• Refine measurement tools
• Staff Training• Re-Pilot surveys
• Incorporate Measures of Program Quality• Look at HOW programs and services are offered• Explore field-specific measures of quality
• Youth Program Quality Assessment• Quality Rating System
Results: Maximizing Evaluation• What is the purpose of the evaluation?
• Funder Required?• Is there a requirement to “Act” on the results?
• How are the results communicated to all stakeholders?
• How are results used in planning?
Questions?
Contact Information
Jennifer Farley
Censeo Solutions
515.371.1754
www.censeosolutions.com
Works Cited
Russ-Eft, D., & Preskill, H. (2009). Evaluation In Organizations: A systematic approach to enhancing learning, performance, and change. New York: Basic Books.