Evaluation Types
In general, there are five basic types of evaluations. FERA tailors these to meet your organization’s specific needs. Most evaluations include more than one type.
- Needs, Feasibility, and Asset Assessments
These assessments often occur before the program begins. The purpose is to identify a demand for new services or gaps in already established services, and this leads to specific programming objectives, program structure, and resource requirements. This type of evaluation looks at the feasibility of achieving the proposed activities within a specified period of time.
Needs and Asset Assessments.pdf - Program Monitoring
Monitoring involves “tracking” of services delivered and “counting” of clients. Monitoring helps an organization to measure the reach of its programming. (FERA clients usually do their own monitoring.) FERA works with organizations to identify what needs to be tracked and to coordinate our data collection activities. - Formative (Process) Evaluations
This type of evaluation provides information to help improve, modify, document, and/or manage programs. It is useful if done early in the program so that the findings can be used to enhance ongoing program effectiveness. The intent is to strengthen the program by providing feedback on its implementation, progress, and success. This is useful for all programs, but is especially appropriate for innovative, pilot, and multi-year efforts. - Context Evaluations
Context evaluation can assess how certain settings contribute to or impede success. Important contextual considerations include the specific needs of program participants, as well as external factors (e.g., social, economic and cultural). This type of evaluation can guide future programming to enhance its success. FERA has special expertise in conducting individual or systems level ethnographic case studies that analyze outcomes in relation to contextual factors. - Outcome (Impact) Evaluations
Outcome evaluations are important to making major decisions about program continuation, expansion or reduction, and funding. They measure the degree to which the program’s stated goals and objectives were achieved and identify any unintended or “spin off” outcomes of the program (positive or negative). Sometimes comparison or control groups are used in impact evaluations. FERA has documented outcomes for programs, organizations, communities, collaborations/alliances, as well as state, national, and international networks and associations.