Whether you’re a nonprofit leader seeking to demonstrate impact or a public sector manager aiming to improve services, program evaluation is a powerful tool. But before diving into data collection, it’s important to take a step back and ask: Is your organization truly ready for an evaluation?
Why Program Evaluation Readiness Matters
Jumping into an evaluation without laying the groundwork can lead to:
- Incomplete or inaccurate data
- Staff resistance
- Missed learning opportunities
- Wasted time and resources
On the other hand, being prepared helps ensure that your evaluation is strategic, inclusive, and actionable—leading to insights you can actually use.
The Evaluation Readiness Checklist
Use the checklist below to assess your readiness. The more boxes you check, the more prepared you are to move forward.
Program Clarity
- We have clearly defined and agreed upon activities and outcomes.
- We can describe our target population and how we serve them.
- We have (or are ready to develop) a theory of change or logic model that explains how our activities lead to outcomes.
Team and Partner Buy-In
- Leadership is supportive of evaluation and willing to act on findings.
- Program staff understand the purpose of evaluation and are open to participating.
- We are open to learning—even if the results are mixed.
Timing and Capacity
- We have the time and resources to support an evaluation over several months or years.
- There are staff or partners available to coordinate evaluation activities.
- We’re not in the middle of a major transition (e.g., leadership change, merger, program overhaul).
How Did You Score?
- All boxes checked? You’re likely in a great position to launch a program evaluation!
- Missing a few? No problem—those are your next steps. Focus on strengthening those areas before jumping in. Consider engaging a consultant to help you prepare.
What’s Next?
If your organization is ready—or wants to get ready—for evaluation, Collective Results can help.
Click here to book a free flash consultation to get started!
