We have all fallen into a writing slump at one point or another. Though evaluation report writing does not involve the same kind of creativity as writing a novel, report writers can experience the same type of writer’s block. Here are 10 tips from my experience and reading that have helped deal with the evaluation […]
Evaluation experts often define evaluation as a systematic endeavor. Recently I have been considering what this really means. How do we carry out a more systematic evaluation? How do we translate this into practice? Aim for Consistency Aim for consistency in data collection efforts. Data should be collected the same way every time. How […]
A focus group is a moderated group discussion that focuses on particular topics of interest. Moderators lead focus groups and usually follow a discussion guide of open-ended questions. Here are some tips for planning for focus groups in program evaluation, gleaned from my reading of Richard A. Krueger’s and Mary Anne Casey’s excellent book, Focus […]
I remember, as a child, dutifully memorizing the life-cycles of frogs and butterflies. Now as an evaluator, I find myself participating in a work-related life-cycle of sorts too, though no need of painstaking memorization here: Evaluation Planning –>Negotiating the plan –> Conducting the evaluation (negotiating this) –>Reporting –>Planning of future evaluations…–>(and the cycle continues) While […]
“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson This post is part 2 in a series of posts dedicated to the committed stakeholders I’ve worked with over the past year, who continue to inspire me to follow […]
“It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself.” Ralph Waldo Emerson This post is dedicated to the committed stakeholders I’ve worked with over the past year, who continue to inspire me to follow their example of helping others. The season […]
A warm thanks to all who’ve reached out since the start of this blog. I began this series of posts thinking of a couple of my readers who consider themselves relatively new to evaluation. But regardless of whether we’re newer, seasoned or somewhere in between, isn’t there always something new to learn? This is why […]
I’m back after a hectic work period (my apologies for the sparse posts!) I return with a renewed commitment to this blog, aspiring to practice a lesson I’ve recently learnt: do less, plan and reflect more! Today I’d like to tackle the importance of reflection when setting professional development goals. Reflection, at least in my […]
Keeping It Simple Many of us have probably have had a past English teacher or colleague or two warn us about the plague of wordiness. “Keep It Simple!” they still admonish. Some of us, though, have trouble practicing it. “But I really want to make the best impression. And what about all those great ideas? […]
This question has nagged me for a while. It emerged to the forefront as I recently considered the most efficient way to carry out my responsibilities, spurred on by the 20-80 rule: 80% of our outcomes come from 20% of our efforts. So how do you evaluate on a budget? Should you do-it-yourself (DIY) or outsource? […]
Marion is a popular facilitator of workshops and Board retreats. Her expertise includes strategic planning, board development, governance and harnessing the power of technology. [Read more ...]
Carter McNamara of Authenticity Consulting, LLC, provides organizational development, consultant training and Action Learning services, and is developer of the Free Management Library. [Read more ...]
