Table of Contents >
   Part J. Evaluating Community Programs and Initiatives
      Chapter 39. Using Evaluation to Understand and Improve the In... >
         Section 2. Providing Feedback to Improve the Initiative >
             Tools & Checklists - A checklist that summarizes the major points contained in the section. >

Providing Feedback to Improve the Initiative

  

Tools & Checklists

 Contributed by Chris Hampton Edited by Vincent T. Francisco and Bill Berkowitz

Checklist

Here, you'll find checklists that summarize the major points contained in the text.

You understand that...

____Providing feedback from your evaluation involves presenting the data on accomplishments that you're getting from your evaluation to those involved in the initiative--your staff and volunteers.

____Most of this information is usually, but not always, presented in graph form.

____Providing feedback should be done on an ongoing basis so that your staff and volunteers can be kept up-to-date on what they're doing well and what can stand improvement.

____Providing feedback can also be done at the end of an evaluation (although not exclusively so).

____Your staff should get feedback at regular intervals, especially early in the initiative's development, so that they can continually adjust their efforts to improve the initiative's results.

You understand some of the reasons to consider providing feedback from time to time:

____To help community leadership assess progress towards meeting the initiative's goals

____To help see areas wherein the members of the initiative may want to put more energy

____To help detect when too much energy or effort is spent in areas less central to the mission

____To provide the opportunity to celebrate small accomplishments

____To help the initiative focus on the "big picture" by seeing cumulative accomplishments over time

____To provide funders the opportunity to help re-direct the initiative towards activities more directly related to the mission

____To provide funders the opportunity to see and reward the accomplishments of the initiative

How to provide feedback

____You began with an affirming and specific overall statement summing up how the initiative is doing.

____You've presented the data to the group as a good thing, even if the feedback isn't all that positive.

____You've tried to communicate the value of a group that really wants to know how it's doing and provided a shared vision of the initiative as a catalyst for change.

____You've shown graphs and qualitative material in this order:

  • Process Measures
  • Intermediate Outcomes
  • Ultimate Outcomes/Impact Data

Presenting the information:

____You’ve asked the group for its interpretation of the data

____You've introduced the information and provided a brief definition, example, and explanation of why it is important

____You've given a more detailed example from accomplishments that have happened recently--within the last few months, if possible

____You've pointed out what is positive about the data

____You've made note of any trends in the data, and what those trends mean.

____You've discussed any suggested re-direction of efforts.

____You've reviewed examples listed on the graph.

____You've affirmed the initiative by noting evidence of progress.

____You've asked for comments or questions from the group.

If the measure doesn't show recent growth:

____You’ve asked the group for its ideas about why this is so.

____You've pointed out any previous times that growth occurred to keep people from getting discouraged.

____If the measures are cyclical in nature and it seems appropriate, you've pointed this out.

____When meeting with the initiative's leadership, you've asked if there were additional activities that were not recorded and reminded leaders of the definition and list items that have been recorded over the life of the initiative.

____You've summarized the data by discussing strengths of the initiative.