Step 2: Describe Project and Understand Programme

Stage 2 in the evaluation process is to recognise the project for what it really is in preparation for the next stage of evaluation design. Much of the effort of this stage will occur through the project planning process. However by reviewing parts of the project plan, during the development of your evaluation, you can identify elements that will be important to that process. Aims and objectives, overall approach and the work packages involved can all help to identify the key areas for evaluation.

More specific evaluation points can be found in the Project Outcomes. As part of the creation process, how these outcomes are going to be measured should also be considered. Also think about whether these outcomes are going to be reviewed in terms of their impact over time? It maybe that particular outcomes are measured in the short term (attitudes, knowledge, skills), medium term (behaviour, policies, practice), and long term (social, economic, environmental). This should help to guide the design of your evaluation.

Step 3: Design Evaluation