What is the first thing you think of when you hear the word evaluation? When I conduct trainings on evaluation, the audience typically responds with things like “results”, “judgement”, “grants”, “inspector”, and “numbers”. Oftentimes, people have negative feelings and connotations surrounding the word evaluation.
Evaluation is not a bad thing. Actually, it’s pretty great.
Over the next thirty days I’m going to help you bring quality evaluation to your organization. Whether you have absolutely zero program evaluation – or thorough evaluations, this series will take you through the process of understanding what evaluation is, why it is important, and how to institute evaluation at your organization.
So, what is evaluation?
Evaluation consists of collecting and analyzing information about salient aspects of a program or activity in order to make decisions about the relative worth of the program in order to improve, change, or end the program. (Minnesota Evaluation Association)
Next, 30 Days to Quality Evaluation: Why is evaluation important?
Photo Credit: Winnifredxoxo
