How Do We Begin?

Planning and evaluation go hand in hand. Imagining what social change might look like and how a project intends to effect that change is how evaluating impact begins. Being conscious of evaluation interests while you’re developing a program helps you: 

 

  • clarify the purpose of evaluating
  • decide the evaluation approach to take
  • anticipate kinds of data to collect
  • determine whom you may need to enlist to conduct or assist with evaluation
  • assess resources needed

 

A Place to Start offers three options for getting started on your evaluation plans with attention to concerns related to evaluating for social impact: