The document outlines the importance of an evaluation plan for TIG final reports, emphasizing the need to define goals, generate data, and translate it into impact for stakeholders. It highlights key components for a successful evaluation, such as identifying strategies, methods, and best practices for reporting accomplishments and lessons learned. Insights from various reflections encourage data-driven reporting and maintaining a positive, clear communication style throughout the evaluation process.

1. TIG Final Reports:
Demonstrating Accomplishments, Improving Services, and
Fostering Replication

2. 1. Evaluation Plan Draft - part of full TIG
application now
2. Revisions and Approval of Evaluation Plan
3. Evaluation Report Draft - part of last
milestone
4. Revisions and Approval of Evaluation
Report
Evaluation Process

3. Pieces of an Evaluation Plan
● Defining Goals and Objectives -
understanding the difference between
the two
● Identifying strategies/activities
● Identifying evaluation methods and
data sets

4. Demonstrating Accomplishments
● Toot your own horn!
● Not just for us - for LSC; to show other stakeholders the
value of your work; and for other grant funding
opportunities
● Outlining evaluation plan at the beginning of the project
helps
○ refine scope
○ frame intended impact of the project
○ improves implementation

5. ● Translate data into impact
● What lessons were learned, and what do they
mean for the future?
● Generate data to identify value of the system for
improving program operations/client services
Improving Services

6. Fostering Replication
● Generate data to identify how/under what conditions the
system works and strategies needed to make it work
● Thoroughly explaining data and methodologies used
allows others to understand, replicate and improve upon
your project
● Analysis of Accomplishments, Major Lessons and
Recommendations help people understand why they
might want to replicate and build upon your project

7. Plan for the Report
● A thoughtful evaluation plan makes for a better report and project
● Evaluation Plan should be the foundation for your work plan
○ Milestones have a different purpose
● Refer to Evaluation Plan throughout implementation
● Keep an Evaluation Plan folder (or use metadata tags)
● Collect your data throughout the project
● Plan extra time at the end to collect more data and write the first draft
● Submit the first draft to LSC at least a month before it’s due
Kristin’s reflections

8. Planning for the
Report Provides
Insights During the
Project
Kristin’s reflections Help You Stay on Track or
Change Direction.

9. Technicalities
● Stay positive
● Major accomplishments - most important section
● Challenges and lessons - very close seconds
● Know that it’s public
● Follow directions: include all the necessary elements
● Make it easy to read
● Keep the substance in the body of the report
● Keep the details in attachments
● Look for insights
Kristin’s reflections

10. Report Insights | Usage
Kristin’s reflections

11. ● Step back from the individual tools and see how they fit into
the big picture of the services you are providing
● Contemplate and articulate HOW document assembly
improves access to justice
● Can use it as a framework for evaluating all of your document
assembly projects, not just those funded by TIG
● Encouraged getting feedback from a wider audience
● Why are some interviews finished more often than others?
Angela’s reflections

12. ● Make it meaningful.
● It’s all about that data, ‘bout that data.
● Be creative about data sources -- go beyond your evaluation
plan. Fine-grained is good.
● Pretend you’re talking to Congress or a major foundation
● Don’t be modest.
● Put your best points up front in the summary section.
● Be as brief as you can. Page maximums are not expectations!
Jonathan’s reflections

13. In addition to the tips already presented,
● Be reasonable in your expectations!
● Create your evaluation plan from the perspective of your future self
writing a final report: what information will you want to cite? (And be
able to produce?)
● Make sure there is enough time after project completion to gather enough
data for evaluation.
● Remember that your reports are public record
Tips for a Successful Report

14. Resources
● http://tig.lsc.gov/grants/evaluation-plans -
everything you need to know about the
evaluation plan process
● http://tig.lsc.gov/grants/final-reports - includes
final project report form template
● http://tig.lsc.gov/grants/replicable-projects -
samples of final reports of replicable projects

15. ● Kristen Verrill, Practice Innovation Manager,
Atlanta Legal Aid Society
● Angela Tripp, Project Manager, Michigan Legal
Help Program
● Jonathan Pyle, Contract Performance Officer,
Philadelphia Legal Assistance
Thanks!