Checklist for Program Evaluation Planning

Written by Carter McNamara, Ph.D.

(used by permission - permission notice below)

(applies to nonprofits and for-profits unless noted)

The following checklist might prove useful when planning evaluations for programs. The reader would benefit from first reading Basic Guide to Program Evaluation (contained at the Free Management Library located at http://www.mapnp.org/library).

Name of Organization:                                                               

Name of Program:                                                                      

Purpose of Evaluation?

What do you want to be able to decide as a result of the evaluation? For example:

__ Understand, verify or increase impact of products or services on customers/clients (e.g., outcomes evaluation)

__ Improve delivery mechanisms to be more efficient and less costly (e.g., process evaluation)

__ Verify that we're doing what we think we're doing (e.g., process evaluation)

__ Clarify program goals, processes and outcomes for management planning

__ Public relations

__ Program comparisons, e.g., to decide which should be retained

__ Fully examine and describe effective programs for duplication elsewhere

__ Other reason(s)

Audience(s) for the Evaluation?

Who are the audiences for the information from the evaluation, for example:

__ Clients/customers

__ Funders/Investors

__ Board members

__ Management

__ Staff/employees

__ Other(s)                                                                                                            

What Kinds of Information Are Needed?

What kinds of information are needed to make the decision you need to make and/or enlighten your intended audiences, for example, information to understand:

__ The process of the product or service delivery (its inputs, activities and outputs)

__ The customers/clients who experience the product or service

__ Strengths and weaknesses of the product or service

__ Benefits to customers/clients (outcomes)

__ How the product or service failed and why, etc.

__ Other type(s) of information?

Type of Evaluation?

Based on the purpose of the evaluation and the kinds of information needed, what types of evaluation are being planned?

__ Goal-based?

__ Process-based?

__ Outcomes-based?

__ Other(s)?                                                                                                          

Where Should Information Be Collected From?

__ Staff/employees

__ Clients/customers

__ Program documentation

__ Funders/Investors

__ Other(s)                                                                                                           

How Can Information Be Collected in a Reasonable and Realistic Fashion?

__ questionnaires

__ interviews

__ documentation

__ observing clients/customers

__ observing staff/employees

__ conducting focus groups among                                                                           

__ other(s)                                                                                                              

When is the Information Needed?

What Resources Are Available to Collect the Information?

			Permission & Contact Information

Copyright notice:

Regarding any reprint of Carter McNamara's items, please include with your reprint:

- Name of the author (Carter McNamara)

- Source of the material (Free Management Library located at http://www.mapnp.org/library)

The Management Assistance Program (MAP) for Nonprofits, in St. Paul, Minnesota, graciously hosts the Free Management Library, and assists Carter in various activities to support the Library. Thanks to MAP!

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