Management for Evaluators and Those with Oversight Responsibility

Instructor: Mr. James Bell

Description: Evaluation theory and methods meet the reality of program operations and decision-making when a program evaluation is implemented. Against a backdrop of demanding technical requirements and a dynamic political environment, the goal of evaluation management is to develop, with available resources and time, valid and useful measurement information. Management responsibility rests with a project director and, to a lesser extent, other project staff. Those who oversee evaluations, usually as sponsors' representatives, also have management responsibilities, such as developing specifications for a call for proposals, and selecting and monitoring the evaluat ion team . Evaluation management is challenging because the choice of methods (quantitative or qualitative) and the prevailing political context varies across projects.

The purpose of this course is to increase the evaluation management knowledge and skills of those who conduct evaluations (as project directors or staff) and others who have oversight responsibility (for programs and studies). Participants will have opportunities to improve their ability to directly manage or oversee each phase of an evaluation. Using a combination of short presentations, seminar discussions, and small group exercises, the course will focus on six areas: (1) selecting the evaluator(s); (2) developing rational work plans; (3) organizing staff for results; (4) making assignments productive; (5) monitoring interim progress; and (6) ensuring product quality and usefulness. Practical suggestions will focus on how common problems can be avoided or resolved. In addition, cross-cutting topics will be addressed such as: how the six areas of evaluation management are interrelated; how project management determines the quality and usefulness of evaluation products; and, why maintaining agreement with sponsors on the evaluation mandate is crucial. Case examples of evaluation management challenges and solutions will be examined and used in class exercises. The case examples will be provided by the instructor as well as drawn from course participants' evaluation experiences.

Certificates: CEP IA.f