Evaluation provides our clients and stakeholders with the following services:
Needs Assessment
Determines who needs the initiative, how great the need is, and what can be done to best meet the need. A Needs Assessment can be used to identify audiences that are not currently being adequately served by existing initiatives, and provide recommendations for ways to reduce these gaps.
Formative Evaluation
Examines the process of implementing the initiative to review the extent to which early outcomes are being achieved. A formative evaluation can be conducted continuously, following the full life of the initiative, or as a one-time assessment, typically during the earlier stage of life for the initiative. Results can be used to make adjustments to the initiative during its lifetime.
Summative Evaluation
Investigates the extent to which the initiative is achieving results and delivering on intended outcomes. A summative evaluation can be used not only to make improvement to an initiative at a later stage in its life, but also to inform summative decision making such as whether the initiative should continue as-is, expand, reduce, or be eliminated.
Case Study
Reviews components of an initiative that may be impacted by unpredictable circumstances, or result in unique outcomes. A Case Study is not based on the assumption that the initiative follows a measurable path, and instead treats the components of the initiative as a reaction to a series of events with adaptive strategies and outcomes. This allows for greater latitude in assessing initiative impacts.
Impact Assessment
Identifies the value or benefit of an initiative in relation to its costs. An Impact Assessment may review the cost-effectiveness or cost-benefit of an initiative in relation to alternative options or models. Results may be used to assess the initiative model against best-practices, or options for initiative change, to enable an informed decision as well as to justify initiative relevance. This type of assessment is generally recommended for later stages of an initiative to enable the use of actual outcome data.
Initiative Review
Considers an initiative's operations, processes and systems for the purpose of finding potential efficiencies, cost savings, and opportunities for possible realignment with another level of government and/ or other delivery options. It is needed when there may be a need for cost savings or a concern regarding the initiative's operations or ongoing relevance.