EVAL 6000: Foundations of Evaluation

1. EVAL 6000: Foundations of Evaluation Dr. Chris L. S. Coryn Nick Saxton Fall 2014

2. Agenda • Identifying and assessing evaluation opportunities • First steps in addressing evaluation opportunities • Designing evaluations

3. Identifying and assessing evaluation opportunities

4. Sources of evaluation opportunities • Evaluation request for proposals (RFPs) • Evaluation requests for qualifications (RFQs) • Internal evaluation assignments • Sole-source evaluation assignments • Evaluator-initiated evaluation opportunities

5. Bidders conferences • Serves numerous purposes • Background • Answering (potential) evaluator questions • Be cautious—do not give away plans!

6. First steps in addressing evaluation opportunities

7. Developing the evaluation team • Identify needed expertise • Recruit those with required expertise • Consider compensation

8. Developing thorough familiarity with the need for evaluation • Carefully investigate RFP • Attend bidders’ conference • Investigate other sources

9. Stipulating standards for guiding and assessing the evaluation • Require all evaluation team members to learn and apply selected principles or standards

10. Establishing support for the projected evaluation • Often difficult depending upon the organization in which one works

11. Developing the evaluation proposal’s appendix • Include any and all relevant materials that potentially supplement the proposal

12. Planning for a stakeholder review panel • Including, but not limited to: • Program constituents • Policymakers • Evaluation experts • Funders

13. Designing evaluations

14. Generic checklist for designing evaluations • See pages 462-466 • For discussion!