Guidelines for Transition Teams - The United Church of Canada

Appendix 12: Tips for Effective Reviews
1. No matter what method is used to collect feedback from a group of people, make sure the
purpose of the review is clearly communicated, as well as how and to whom the results will be
communicated. Explain that a review is not aimed at describing what was “good” or “bad,” but
rather at assessing to what extent the objectives were reached, and how well the process worked.
2. A valid review takes place only when people are asked to react to appropriate criteria, that is,
against the objectives or goals that were originally set.
3. A valid review ensures that there is feedback from most, or at least a representative sample, of
those who have experienced or been affected by the work being evaluated.
4. An essential starting point for each review is recalling exactly what the purposes were. Citing the
original objectives from reference documents is very important.
5. A review that yields useful information will have encouraged the use of descriptive, not
judgmental, language. Use focused questions that will yield specific feedback. Avoid asking for
general impressions or opinions.
6. Prepare people to participate by giving them the questions ahead of time so that they can give
more thoughtful answers.
7. When conducting a review in any group, make no assumptions about uniformity of opinion.
Encourage the expression of all points of view so that there can be a thorough analysis of what
helped and what hindered the interim process.
8. Ensure confidentiality throughout the collecting, compiling, and disseminating of information.
9. Ensure that if personal information is to be shared, permission to do so has been granted
beforehand by the individuals concerned.
10. The final question to every review must be, “What have we learned?” Effective evaluative reviews
will produce information and reveal methods that may be useful in the planning and carrying out
of future endeavors.
56 Guidelines for Transition Teams