Evaluation

Evaluation involves determining the value, merit, significance, or worth of a given objective, program, or endeavour. We all evaluate things on a daily basis to one extent or another, but without the right tools and expertise, what we consider to be “evaluations” are more often than not subjective estimates, or erroneous assumptions about the things we believe we are evaluating.

Program and policy evaluation aids in determining whether a given program or policy, including the resources, tools, and time associated with them, and their overall efficacy are appropriate for the intended outcome. Determining appropriateness makes it clear whether or an organization should invest further in such programs and policies, and to what degree, if at all. In short, evaluation makes it clear whether or not something is worth the effort, and also why it is or is not. Answering the “why” is all too often left out of the analysis. We make sure it is placed front and centre.

Bloodstone utilizes a variety of evaluative methodologies specific to client-specific demands and requirements. As such, we centre our approach to evaluation on a utilization-focused evaluation model, in which the primary intended user—the client—determines what they constitute to be useful information that benefits their decision-making needs.

As part of all evaluation planning, we conduct evaluability assessments to determine the type of evaluation to use, and whether or not a given program or policy is ready to be evaluated in a meaningful manner. Depending on the results of the evaluation, a set of recommendations is developed in consultation and partnership with clients to maximize desired outcomes and remove barriers to success.

Depending on the given program or policy, our evaluative toolbox includes, but is not limited to:

Formative Evaluations (also known as “Process Evaluations”) whereby processes within an existing program, policy or initiative’s trajectory are examined to assess how well the processes are adhered to, and to what degree success or failure can be attributed to this adherence, or in the design of a program, policy or initiative itself.

Summative Evaluations (also known as “Outcome Evaluations”) whereby the results of a given program, policy, or initiative are measured against their respective intent, and to what degree the success or failure of that program, policy, or initiative is worth continued investment, enhancement, or if it should be discarded.

Efficiency and Cost Effectiveness Analysis whereby a program is reviewed in terms of its overall processes and milestones for the specific purpose of reaching a particular budgeted cost reduction, and to generate a value-based model of a given program, policy, or initiative that better allocates resources to meet organizational objectives.

We take the guesswork out of evaluation by regularly monitoring and reporting on policies, programs and initiatives, and keeping track of what works and what does not, and making the client aware of the opportunities and challenges that their selected approach is garnering.