Evaluation Resources

Defining your program evaluation plans

The concept of program evaluation can include a wide variety of methods to evaluate many aspects of programs in nonprofit or for-profit organizations. There are numerous books and other materials that provide in-depth analysis of evaluations, their designs, methods, combination of methods and techniques of analysis. However, personnel do not have to be experts in these topics to carry out a useful program evaluation. The "20-80" rule applies here, that 20% of effort generates 80% of the needed results. It's better to do what might turn out to be an average effort at evaluation than to do no evaluation at all. (Besides, if you resort to bringing in an evaluation consultant, you should be a smart consumer. Far too many program evaluations generate information that is either impractical or irrelevant -- if the information is understood at all.) This learning module orients personnel to the nature of program evaluation and how it can be carried out in a realistic and practical fashion.

Board of Directors Self Evaluation Tool

Guidelines for Board when evaluation the CEO

American Evaluation Association
See their 'documents', including "Guiding Principles for Evaluators" and "Program Evaluation Standards". Also see their 'lists and links' page.

Outcome Measurement Resource Network

From the United Way of America: As leaders in results-oriented philanthropy, United Way of America and United Way organizations across the country have championed the adoption of outcome measurement by health and human service programs. The Resource Network offers information, downloadable documents, and links to resources related to the identification and measurement of program- and community-level outcomes.

Concepts, Theories, Issues and Case Studies
from United Way of America

Accountable Good: Program Evaluation in the Nonprofit Sector, 1999. Rachel A. Spiegel.

Describes the program's shift toward "hard" (quantifiable) metrics, the benefits of otucome measurement, the challenges of outcome management, and key steps in implementing an outcome discipline. Click HERE.

 

Administration of Children and Families (ACF) Child Outcomes Research and Evaluation

Downloadable publications and reports focusing on child outcomes, including the National Survey of Child and Adolescent Well-being, the National Evaluation of Family and Support Programs, and other related resources such as the National Clearinghouse on Child Abuse and Neglect Information and the Program Manager's Guide to Evaluation.

 

Agency Experiences with Outcome Measurement: Survey Results

Reports the findings of a survey of 298 agencies in six communities regarding both positive and negative effects of program outcome measurement as well as barriers to and supports for using the results.