FHI Inventory of Program Evaluation Tools and Guidelines

The material is grouped by category of user:  

* all users,  

* program managers, 

* evaluation specialists in community-based organizations,  

* international and nongovernmental agencies,  

* researchers, and  

* governments.   

This inventory is specifically relevant because it specifically addresses how to facilitate the use of data that is generated by evaluation research. 

 The Inventory of Program Evaluation Tools and Guidelines can be found here.

Program evaluation is a complex necessity in all health programming. All program funders now require that programs have strong evaluations to guide their development, implementation, and ongoing fine tuning or improvement; and that these evaluations go beyond the simple reporting of activities and results to the funding agency. Implementing agencies are being asked to collect information to guide their program design and to use ongoing evaluation data to shape and mold the program as it is being implemented.

Implementing agencies are also being asked to gather information and data that can tell the story of their communities and programs and the context of observed changes. Implementers are being asked to answer a series of key questions: Who is this community? What does this community need? How is this program addressing these needs in a culturally competent manner? How is the community being affected or changed as a result of the implementation of this program or set of programs?

However, not enough people in the field have had the educational training or in-the-field experience to know what information to collect and how to do it in a way that yields accurate and useful results. In order for agencies to state that their programs are being successfully carried out, it is no longer sufficient to merely ask a handful of clients or program participants what they liked and did not like. More structure and rigor is being demanded of all implementing agencies.