How do you choose the right evaluation model for large groups?

2 CIPP Model

CIPP stands for context, input, process, and product. It is a comprehensive evaluation model that covers the entire cycle of your facilitation, from planning to implementation to follow-up. Context evaluation assesses the needs, problems, and opportunities that justify your facilitation, input evaluation assesses the resources, strategies, and activities that you use for your facilitation, process evaluation assesses how you deliver your facilitation and how participants engage with it, and product evaluation assesses the outcomes and impacts of your facilitation on individuals, groups, and systems. This model can help you improve your facilitation design, delivery, and outcomes, as well as demonstrate accountability and value to your stakeholders. However, it can also be complex and demanding to apply, and it may require a high level of expertise and collaboration among evaluators, facilitators, and participants.

3 Utilization-Focused Evaluation

Utilization-focused evaluation is an evaluation model that focuses on the intended use and users of the evaluation findings. It is not a specific method or technique, but a philosophy and approach that involves engaging your stakeholders in defining the purpose, questions, methods, and criteria for your evaluation. The main goal of this model is to produce relevant, credible, and actionable information that can inform decision-making and action-taking by your stakeholders. This model can help you tailor your evaluation to the specific needs and interests of your stakeholders, as well as increase their ownership and commitment to your facilitation. However, it can also be challenging to balance the different perspectives and expectations of your stakeholders, and it may require a high level of trust and communication between you and them.

4 Empowerment Evaluation

Empowerment evaluation is an evaluation model that aims to empower your participants and stakeholders to conduct their own evaluation and use the results for learning and improvement. It is based on the principles of participation, collaboration, capacity-building, and social justice. It involves facilitating a process where your participants and stakeholders define their goals, indicators, methods, and actions for your facilitation, collect and analyze data, and share and act on the findings. This model can help you foster a culture of self-evaluation, reflection, and feedback among your participants and stakeholders, as well as enhance their skills, confidence, and ownership of your facilitation. However, it can also be time-consuming and resource-intensive to support and sustain, and it may raise ethical and political issues of power, representation, and accountability.

5 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?