Go through this step by step presentation to learn what key things you need to consider when setting program evaluation goals.

1. Setting Evaluation Goals

2. Introduction
Evaluation planning can begin by
developing an evaluation mindset.
Get your team together and work
through the following steps.

3. Identify Reasons to EvaluateStep 1:
As a team, discuss the various reasons your organization would
have to conduct an evaluation then decide on your top three.
1
2
3
We are evaluating our program in order to:

4. Challenge Assumptions & Perceived Barriers
1
Get each person to take a few minutes to write down
two or three ideas about what makes them
uncomfortable about evaluating their program.
Step 2:

5. Challenge Assumptions & Perceived Barriers
2
Each person can share their top assumptions and
determine the truth and inaccuracies about these
concerns.
Step 2:
A: What is true?
B: What is false?
C: What is uncertain?

6. Challenge Assumptions & Perceived Barriers
3
Establish the aspects of these concerns that are myths.
In a clearly written statement, provide a response that
dispels these concerns.
Step 2:

7. Define Program Goals
Divide a sheet of paper or white board into two
columns and brainstorm specific goals.
Remember that short-term goals should be
realistic and specific.
Step 3:
Short Term Goals Long Term Goals
Tip: if you’ve already got program goals as part of your
strategic or operational plan, simply put them in the
appropriate column
When planning
an evaluation, it
helps to think
about short and
long term goals
of the program.

8. Question Evaluation Type
Is there concern about the extent to which programs or services are
working as they are taking place?
Formative
Do specific areas of a program need to be looked at to determine where
improvements can be made to help make it better?
Formative
Is there a specific problem in the functioning or implementation of the
program that needs to be addressed immediately?
Formative
Do you want to know if program objectives were met? Summative
Is there a needed improvement and modification of the overall structure of
the program?
Summative
Do you want to know the overall impact of the program? Summative
Do you want to determine what resources are needed to address the
program’s weaknesses?
Summative
What Type of Evaluation Should We Conduct?Step 4:
Check the questions your organization is interested in answering:

9. Definitions
Formative Evaluation
Used to asses a program during its
development in order to make early
improvements.
It can also help to refine or improve a
program.
Summative Evaluation
Used to assess program effectiveness.
Conducted after the completion of the
program design.
For more evaluation definitions, visit PREP’s Lingo page:
https://peelevaluates.ca/lingo/

10. The story we want our data to tell Qualitative Quantitative
e.g. The number of new immigrants in our job program who went on to find
meaningful employment in comparison to the rate of employment for new
immigrants who did not participate in our program.
X
e.g. The degree to which our homework help program improved the grade
averages of our participants. X
Do We Need Quantitative or Qualitative
Data or Both?
Step 5:
What story do we want our evaluation to reveal from the analysis of data?

11. Completing these steps will help you and your team understand
more about evaluation and set the stage for planning and
evaluation.
For more information, check out the evaluation resources toolkit
on: https://peelevaluates.ca/resources-prep/
Adapted from: http://toolkit.pellinstitute.org/wp-
content/uploads/2009/12/Evaluation-101-Worksheet1.pdf