Program Evaluation

Evaluation Works

Solid Data for Sound Decisions

Program Evaluation

Program Evaluation

As markets and situations change, businesses launch new projects, initiatives, and programs to position the organization to prosper under the new conditions. Each response is launched optimistically with high expectations for successful outcomes.

Program Evaluation provides a valid and reliable analysis of programs, initiatives, or projects to determine the relationship between expected outcomes and actual performance. The following three scenarios are typical examples of Program Evaluation projects:

Organizations invest heavily in the development of their employees. Whether short term skills training or long term initiatives, employee development requires investments of time and money. The effectiveness of learning and organizational development initiatives is enhanced greatly by a foundation of sophisticated analytics.

An analytical approach to measuring outcomes from development activities reveals the return on investment effective, targeted training brings. Also, analytical insight into training programs can uncover areas for improvement in training activities and point to additional performance issues that training or other organizational consulting can help overcome. Sound decisions to invest in training and developmental activities come easier when ties to both individual development and organizational objectives are based on data-driven insights.

Organizations that depend on the effectiveness of an outside sales force constantly look for ways to help them succeed and spend a larger percentage of their day in front of potential customers. One such organization decided a heavier reliance on technology and automated sales processes would make its sales force more effective and free up time for additional sales activities.

Outfitting an entire sales force with laptop computers and automated sales processes required a substantial investment, and prior to launching the initiative company wide, a Program Evaluation project targeting a pilot group of salespeople provided valid and reliable data to confirm that selling time increased, as did sales volume.

Those who support non-profit organizations -- private funders; city, state, or federal grants; foundations; and other sources of funding – expect and often require evidence that successful outcomes have been derived for the audience or cause served by the organization receiving funds.

Writing a Program Evaluation project into requests for funding provides funders with analytically sound data showing the impact of their investment. Third party program evaluation not only encourages current funders to continue to support the organization, it also provides solid information that can be used to continue program quality improvement, attract new funding sources, and help to demonstrate successes to key stakeholders.

An analytical evaluation of programs, projects, and initiatives confirms anticipated returns on investments, quantifies successes, and suggests actions to improve outcomes when necessary. Why risk a bad decision when an Evaluation Works Program Evaluation project can help you confidently direct resources to projects most likely to generate desired results?

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