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

Using the Logic Model Beyond Evaluation

This toolkit describes the logic model as a tool to help guide program evaluation. However, there are many other ways it can be used.

• For program design/planning by starting with what the program is intended to accomplish, and then determining the set of activities most likely to accomplish those outcomes. This process may lead you to explore additional strategies beyond those you had initially identified, helping to identify the best approach for your particular program, in terms of both strategies and outcomes.

• For strategic planning to set forth not only a specific program's activities and outcomes, but an entire organization's trajectory and how it intends to have an impact in realizing its vision and mission.

• For ongoing monitoring of program implementation after a program has begun, to track whether activities are unfolding as planned and yielding outcomes in the expected time frames.

• To communicate with and establish buy-in from stakeholders especially those unfamiliar with a program's design or scope, ensuring that key stakeholders (e.g., funders, boards of directors, community partners) share a common understanding of the program's critical components and goals. Engaging staff, partners, funders and others in creating a shared vision of what is being proposed and how it will be accomplished helps to increase buy-in and support for the program.

• To negotiate with partners, funders, and other stakeholders about the specific outcomes to be achieved, the activities required to get there, and/or the timeframes that may be required.

The Logic Behind Logic Models: A Brief Guide

It is neither necessary nor practical to evaluate every element of a program. In the next section, we discuss how the logic model can help you prioritize what elements to evaluate and what questions to answer.