Evaluation continued

One way to do this is for the evaluator and program people to develop a very good description of:

·      What the outcomes should be

·      How the program will get there

·      Why the program leads to the outcome.

This description helps to identify how the program should lead to the outcome, why the program activities should lead to the outcomes, and where to evaluate the program to check whether it does.

This method is called a program theory.

“A program theory explains how and why a program is supposed to work. ... It provides a logical and reasonable description of why the things you do – your program activities – should lead to the intended results or benefits.”

A useful tool to help work with the program theory is a logic model, which visually shows the program theory, how all the program goals, activities, and expected outcomes link together.

Use the program theory or logic model to come up with evaluation questions.

·      Does the program have a positive outcome?

·      Are people satisfied?

·      How could the program be improved?

·      How well is the program working?

·      Is the program working the way it was intended to work?

However, there are limits to program theory and logic models:

·      Models are linear, programs are complex, interactive

·      Models are static, programs may change over time.

·      Models may not take unexpected consequences into account

·      Models may not account for conflict, power, control issues

·      Theory or model assumes the model is correct.

Use program theory and logic models, but be flexible, and open to change and feedback. Review and revise them often, as necessary.