INCREASING IMPACTUnderstanding Measurements of Impact in Evaluation

June 2013

Jennifer Farley

Overview• Why evaluate?• Evaluation:

• Types, Continuous Improvement and Neglect

• Outputs vs. Impact• Measures of Impact• Is impact good enough?• When it’s not good enough• Maximizing Evaluation• Questions

Why Evaluate?• Ensures Quality• Increases Knowledge• Prioritize Resources• Accountability• Demonstrate need and effectiveness• Marketable

(Russ-Eft & Preskill)

Types of Evaluation• Developmental• Formative• Summative• Monitoring and Auditing• Outcome Evaluation• Impact Evaluation• Performance Measurement

(Russ-Eft & Preskill)

Continuous Improvement

Evaluation

Top 10 Reasons Evaluation is Neglected

1. Misunderstanding the purpose and role of evaluation

2. Fear

3. Lack of Skills (Real or Perceived)

4. No one has asked for it

5. It is not used

6. Time-consuming

7. Perceived costs vs. Perceived benefit

8. Leaders already know what works

9. Prior experience

10. Lack of Value

(Russ-Eft & Preskill)

Outputs and Impact

Measures of Impact• Measures of Change

• Attitude, Knowledge and Behavior

• Comparison• Pre- and Post-program

• Calibration• Is the primary impact what is measured?• Is the program driving the measure, or is the measure driving the

program?

Is the Impact Good Enough?• Goals

• Program established goals• Funder established goals

• Comparison• Population level data

• Are the target and general population the same?• The continuum of evaluation and research

When Impact isn’t “Good Enough”• Re-calibrate Measures

• What is impact?• Participant focus groups

• What best measures impact?• Refine measurement tools

• Staff Training• Re-Pilot surveys

• Incorporate Measures of Program Quality• Look at HOW programs and services are offered• Explore field-specific measures of quality

• Youth Program Quality Assessment• Quality Rating System

Results: Maximizing Evaluation• What is the purpose of the evaluation?

• Funder Required?• Is there a requirement to “Act” on the results?

• How are the results communicated to all stakeholders?

• How are results used in planning?

Questions?

Contact Information

Jennifer Farley

Censeo Solutions

jennifer@censeosolutions.com

515.371.1754

www.censeosolutions.com

Works Cited

Russ-Eft, D., & Preskill, H. (2009). Evaluation In Organizations: A systematic approach to enhancing learning, performance, and change. New York: Basic Books.