1. INTRODUCTION TO THE TOOLKIT

   • About the Toolkit
   • Toolkit Contents
   • Using the Toolkit
   • Case Study Background

2. INTRODUCTION TO EVALUATION

   • Defining Evaluation
   • Purpose of Evaluation
   • Types of Evaluation
   • Challenges to Conducting an Evaluation

   • Who Should Conduct the Evaluation

     • Assessing Readiness
     • Using a Team Approach
     • Using External Evaluators

   • Considerations for Planning

     • Human Subjects Protections
     • Cultural Competency
     • Budgeting for Evaluation
     • Working with Funders

   • Framework for Evaluation

     • Framework Components
     • Evaluation Standards

3. PLAN YOUR EVALUATION

   • Step 1: Engage Stakeholders

     • Engage Stakeholders
     • Identifying Key Stakeholders
     • Engaging Stakeholders
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 2: Develop a Logic Model

     • Develop a Logic Model
     • What is a Program Description?
     • Introducing Logic Models
     • Creating a Logic Model for Evaluation
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 3: Focus the Evaluation

     • Focus the Evaluation
     • Decide What to Evaluate
     • Develop Evaluation Questions
     • What Are Indicators?
     • Start the Evaluation Plan
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 4a: Plan Data Collection

     • Plan Data Collection
     • Identify Data Sources
     • Select Data Collection Methods
     • Tools and Resources

   • Finalize Your Evaluation Plan

     • Identify the Person Responsible and a Timeline
     • Review Your Evaluation Plan
     • Tools and Resources

4. IMPLEMENT YOUR EVALUATION

   • Introduction
   • Review Your Evaluation Plan

   • Step 4b: Collect Data

     • Design Data Collection Instruments
     • Additional Considerations in Data Collection
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 5: Analyze and Interpret Data

     • Analyze and Interpret Data
     • Organize the Data
     • Analyze the Data and Synthesize Results
     • Interpret the Results
     • Identify Limitations
     • Tools and Resources

   • Step 6: Share Results

     • Share Results
     • Develop Recommendations
     • Communicate the Findings
     • Follow-up
     • Tools and Resources

TOOLS:Worksheets|Glossary

Purpose of Evaluation

Evaluation provides you with the framework and tools to help you answer questions about the effectiveness of your work.

Evaluation can help you to:

• Describe the program, including how it operates, who is involved, what activities occur and at what cost, and whether the program is being implemented as planned.
• Document achievements and measure progress toward goals.
• Understand the program's strengths and identify areas for improvement.
• Determine the effectiveness of the program—i.e., is it producing the desired outcomes?
• Guide decision-making going forward, particularly about resource allocation.
• Market and disseminate effective approaches and programs that work.

Evaluation also helps you measure the extent to which your program meets the expectations of your funders and other stakeholders (people or organizations that have an interest in or are affected by your program). Funders want to know if their money is being well spent and achieving the desired results.

Ideally, evaluation is used not only for reporting progress to funders, but also for program improvement. Integrating evaluation into day-to-day operations can help your organization become a continuous learning organization. Again, evaluation can and should be integrated into the earliest stages of planning.