How to Evaluate - York Consulting

Oldham and Rochdale HMREvaluation Techniques “How to Evaluate”“Without objectives how can we be clear about what we are trying toachieve?”2.21 An important element of developing an effective evaluation approach is tohave systems in place to ensure the governance processes support,challenge and embed the evaluation within ongoing activity. Governanceprocesses are the way in which an evaluation is managed and steered.2.22 A Steering Group is one way of ensuring governance processes are strongand the evaluation is well managed. Steering Groups can help keep thefocus of the evaluation and the projects on track, address any issues,provide solutions to any problems and are an overarching guide to theevaluation throughout its lifetime.2.23 By way of an example as to how the governance process of a project orprogramme could be structured Table 2.3 outlines who could be involved ina steering group.Table 2.3 Who is involved in the steering group?Projectexecutive/managerIt is crucial that this person is fully involved, toensure that there are links between theorganisation’s strategic aims, the projectactivities and the evaluation.Strategy Team/EvaluationCo-ordinator type roleSenior managerProject Partner(s)Project staffThis individual’s specific job title may differfrom the examples given here, but in essencethere should be an individual with experiencein or knowledge of evaluation who can help atthis stage and throughout the evaluation.To include a strategic perspectiveDepending on the nature of the projectsThis will depend on the size and complexity ofthe project, but can help to improve17