Evaluation : Measuring What Matters

Evaluation of a project, learning session, or any other activity is often an afterthought. However, evaluation is most effective when conducted as a continuous process based upon clear aims, goals, and objectives. When conceptualized in this manner, evaluation can utilize desired results to help guide the choice of strategies and activities. When we have a clear idea of what we are trying to achieve, it is easier to identify and measure what matters in the action process. 

Whether we measure quantitative or qualitative data depends on the context of our program and our desired results. A good evaluation process and good measurements serve as a formative feedback loop that corrects our actions during a project and helps to keep us moored to our final objective. The strategies we adopt are only effective if they help us get closer to our goal or aim. Good measurement is a critical tool to the process of any learning or project.

But as Einstein reminds us, some critical and important elements remain outside the realm of measurement; similarly, some aspects that are easily measured may lack relevance to the larger objective and context. We must know what it is we wish to measure and why.

In our evaluation workshops, participants:

• review the importance of goal setting

• examine the four levels of evaluation

• review a variety of qualitative and quantitative measurement tools

• differentiate between results and strategies

• practice writing performance measures

• practice using a learning needs assessment

• review a gap analysis model

• identify stakeholders in evaluation processes