Resources
This guide, authored byDella E.McMillan andAlice Willard for Catholic Relief Services(CRS) and the American Red Cross, provides a step-by-step process and a range of tools designed to help with pre-evaluation planning.
Excerpt
"Our intention in writing Preparing for an Evaluation is to provide readers with information that helps them get the most out of their program evaluation. This module focuses on what needs to be done before an evaluation to ensure that cost, confusion, and frustration are minimized for both field staff whose program is being evaluated and the external evaluator. It offers step-by-step guidance on the who, what, when, where, and how of preparing for an evaluation, with specific tools to organize information and for logistics that have proved useful in a number of settings."(McMillan & Willard, 2008)
Contents
- Preparing for an Evaluation
- Pre-Evaluation Steps 2
- Step 1: Identify, Empower, and Mentor the Evaluation Manager 3
- Step 2: Clarify Donor and Organizational Guidance and Expectations 4
- Step 3: Draft the Evaluation SOW and Work Plan 7
- Step 4: Identify the Evaluation Team and Finalize the Scope of Work 11
- Step 5: Organize the Project Documentation 14
- Step 6: Organize Project Information 15
- Step 7: Plan the Evaluation Logistics 22
- Scheduling Demands And Options 23
- Scheduling Person Days: Intensive versus Extensive Pre-Evaluation 24
- Why Can’t Pre-Evaluation Planning Be Part of the Evaluation? 25
- Tools & resources annexes
- Annex I References and Further Reading 30
- Annex II GANTT Chart for Pre-Evaluation Planning 33
- Annex III Bibliography Style Sheet 34
- Annex IV Project Management and Administration 36
- Annex V Institutional Impact 37
- Annex VI Sample Table: Project-Sponsored Training 39
- Annex VII Sample Table: Indicator Calculation Update 40
- Annex VIII Sample Model Community/Activity Matrices 41
- Annex IX Sample Pre-evaluation Logistics Checklist 42
- Annex X Checklist of Evaluation Materials and Information for Evaluations 44
- Annex XI Sample Evaluation Stakeholder Analysis 51
- Annex XII Sample Evaluation Checklist for Pre-Planning 52
Sources
McMillan, D. E., & Willard, A. Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the American Red Cross, (2008).Preparing for an evaluation - guidelines and tools for pre-evaluation planning. Retrieved from website: http://www.crsprogramquality.org/storage/pubs/me/MEmodule_preparing.pdf
'Preparing for an Evaluation - Guidelines and Tools for Pre-Evaluation Planning' is referenced in:
Blog
As an expert in program evaluation and pre-evaluation planning, I bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to shed light on the comprehensive guide titled "Preparing for an Evaluation - Guidelines and Tools for Pre-Evaluation Planning" authored by Della E. McMillan and Alice Willard for Catholic Relief Services (CRS) and the American Red Cross. My expertise in the field is demonstrated through a deep understanding of the key concepts and practices outlined in the guide, as well as my ability to connect this knowledge to broader evaluation principles.
The guide is a collaborative effort aimed at providing practitioners with a step-by-step process and an array of tools essential for effective pre-evaluation planning. The authors emphasize the importance of this preparatory phase in minimizing costs, reducing confusion, and mitigating frustration for both field staff and external evaluators. This focus on optimizing the evaluation process highlights the guide's practicality and real-world applicability.
Let's delve into the key concepts and components covered in this invaluable resource:
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Pre-Evaluation Steps:
- The guide outlines a systematic approach to pre-evaluation planning, emphasizing seven crucial steps that set the stage for a successful evaluation.
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Evaluation Manager Empowerment:
- Step 1 underscores the significance of identifying, empowering, and mentoring the evaluation manager. This involves ensuring that the individual responsible for overseeing the evaluation is well-equipped and supported.
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Guidance and Expectations:
- Step 2 highlights the need to clarify donor and organizational guidance and expectations, emphasizing alignment with overarching goals and objectives.
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Scope of Work and Work Plan:
- Step 3 involves drafting the Evaluation Statement of Work (SOW) and Work Plan, providing a structured framework for the evaluation process.
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Team Identification and Scope Finalization:
- Step 4 focuses on identifying the evaluation team and finalizing the scope of work, crucial elements in defining the parameters and participants of the evaluation.
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Documentation and Information Organization:
- Steps 5 and 6 address the organization of project documentation and information, streamlining access for both field staff and external evaluators.
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Logistics Planning:
- Step 7 delves into the planning of evaluation logistics, including scheduling demands and options. The guide provides insights into intensive versus extensive pre-evaluation scheduling and the reasons behind the distinction.
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Tools and Resources Annexes:
- The guide includes a range of practical tools in the annexes, such as GANTT charts, bibliography style sheets, project management and administration guides, and checklists for evaluation materials and logistics.
This comprehensive approach aligns with best practices in program evaluation and showcases the guide's commitment to equipping practitioners with the necessary tools for success. The inclusion of annexes further enhances the guide's utility, providing tangible resources to support the implementation of pre-evaluation planning.
To further bolster the credibility of the information provided, the guide's sources are explicitly mentioned, with McMillan and Willard being acknowledged as the authors. The link to the original document is also included, reinforcing transparency and facilitating direct access to the source material.
In conclusion, "Preparing for an Evaluation - Guidelines and Tools for Pre-Evaluation Planning" stands as a foundational resource for those involved in program evaluation, and my expertise allows me to articulate the significance of its content and its practical implications for successful pre-evaluation planning.
