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Enhancing Evaluation Use: Insights From Internal Evaluation Units

Troy Simmons

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Evaluation is a critical component of any successful organization or program. It provides the necessary insights to make informed decisions, improve performance, and demonstrate accountability. However, getting evaluations used effectively can often be a challenge. That's where internal evaluation units (IEUs) come in.

Enhancing Evaluation Use: Insights from Internal Evaluation Units

by Dylan Howard

5 out of 5

Language	:	English
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The Role of Internal Evaluation Units

IEUs play a vital role in supporting the effective use of evaluation within an organization. They are typically staffed with experienced evaluators who have a deep understanding of the organization's mission, goals, and stakeholders. IEUs provide a range of services, including:

Planning and conducting evaluations
Providing technical assistance to other staff on evaluation-related matters
Disseminating evaluation findings to stakeholders
Facilitating the use of evaluation findings in decision-making

Insights From Internal Evaluation Units

Over the years, IEUs have accumulated a wealth of knowledge and experience on how to enhance evaluation use. Here are some key insights that IEUs have shared:

1. Involve Stakeholders Early and Often

One of the most important factors in enhancing evaluation use is to involve stakeholders early and often in the evaluation process. This includes identifying the stakeholders who should be involved, ensuring that they have a clear understanding of the evaluation purpose and methods, and providing them with opportunities to provide input and feedback.

2. Use a Variety of Dissemination Methods

Disseminating evaluation findings is not enough. IEUs need to use a variety of dissemination methods to reach different stakeholders and make the findings accessible and understandable. This could include written reports, presentations, infographics, videos, and social media.

3. Tailor Findings to Specific Audiences

Not all stakeholders are interested in the same information. IEUs need to tailor their findings to the specific needs of different audiences. This means using the appropriate language, avoiding jargon, and highlighting the findings that are most relevant to each audience.

4. Facilitate Use of Findings

IEUs can't just disseminate findings and expect stakeholders to use them. They need to actively facilitate the use of findings by providing technical assistance, training, and other resources. This could include helping stakeholders to develop action plans, identify resources, and overcome barriers to implementation.

5. Track and Measure Use of Findings

Finally, IEUs need to track and measure the use of evaluation findings. This will help them to assess the effectiveness of their dissemination and facilitation efforts and make adjustments as needed. Tracking use could include gathering feedback from stakeholders, conducting surveys, or using data analytics to track the reach and engagement of dissemination efforts.

Enhancing evaluation use is a complex and ongoing process. However, by following the insights from internal evaluation units, organizations can improve their evaluation practices and maximize the impact of their evaluations.

Want to learn more about how to enhance evaluation use? Download our free eBook, Enhancing Evaluation Use: A Guide for Internal Evaluation Units. This eBook provides a comprehensive overview of the key factors that influence evaluation use and offers practical strategies and tips for improving your own evaluation practices.

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Enhancing Evaluation Use: Insights from Internal Evaluation Units

by Dylan Howard

5 out of 5