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Smart Toolkit for Evaluating Information Projects, Products and Services: Second Edition: Part III Evaluation Tools |
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In Part 1 we looked at what evaluation is – its purpose and the context in which it occurs.We
moved on in Part 2 to the evaluation process itself, especially as it applies to information projects,
products and services.The discussion looked at the four major steps in the evaluation process:
preparing the evaluation terms of reference; designing the evaluation; implementing it; and following
it up.
In Part 3 we look at the evaluation tools.The tools featured here are those that we consider to be
well suited to evaluating information projects, products and services.With the increasing demand for
information practitioners to evaluate their projects themselves, and not rely on external evaluations,
the tools chosen are also seen as suitable for self-evaluation and for fostering learning and
stakeholder participation.
The term ‘tools’ applies to the range of tried-and-tested approaches you can use to evaluate your
product/service. Most of them can be used at all stages of the evaluation process.We have divided
them here into:
• project planning tools (planning frameworks, benchmarking and indicators): as their name
implies, these are used to plan a project and, if done properly, can be invaluable reference points
and sources of information when the project is subsequently evaluated
• evaluation planning tools (terms of reference and logic model): using these tools, and drawing
on the project planning frameworks, will establish a strong base from which to select the most
appropriate evaluation implementation tools and to conduct the evaluation
• evaluation implementation tools (data collection, SWOT analysis, questionnaires, focus
groups, flowcharts, case studies, interviews, creative tools, reviews and data analysis): usually a mix of tools will be used to evaluate a product/service, but the particular mix depends on a range of factors, including evaluation purpose, time, finance and available skills
• applying evaluation findings (report writing, dissemination channels, promotional approaches,
using force-field analysis and brainstorming to create action plans): we put particular emphasis on
these tools because, all too often, a great deal of work is done on planning and implementing an
evaluation and producing findings and recommendations, but poor reporting and promotion
results in little, if any, effort to translate the findings into action
All the tools described here feature in Part 4, where we provide evaluation guidelines for selected information products/services. |
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In Part 3 we look at the evaluation tools.The tools featured here are those that we consider to be well suited to evaluating information projects, products and services.With the increasing demand for information practitioners to evaluate their projects themselves, and not rely on external evaluations, the tools chosen are also seen as suitable for self-evaluation and for fostering learning and stakeholder participation... |
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Size: |
Bytes  |
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Download: |
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Series: |
Technical Publications |
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Theme: |
Information and Communication Management |
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Subtheme: |
Soil and land |
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Author: |
KIT |
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Publisher: |
CTA |
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Year of Publication: |
2009 |
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Issue: |
Project evaluation and impact |
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Related links: |
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Smart Tool - 2nd edition : Part I |
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Smart Tool - 2nd edition : Part II |
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Smart Tool - 2nd edition : Part IV |
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