Projects need to be evaluated in order to:
- assess whether or not they represent good value for money;
- ascertain the extent to which targets have been met;
- attempt some measurement of "distance travelled";
- examine the longer term and indirect impacts;
- understand issues around management and service delivery;
- recommend changes in direction to maximise future benefits;
- provide an insight into prospects for sustainability.
The majority of our evaluations fall into two categories:
Formative - evaluation undertaken at an early stage to inform improvements
to a programme and perhaps to establish a baseline position.
Summative - evaluation conducted at a late stage or post completion
of a project, to measure performance and make recommendations for future delivery
We aim to take the mystique out of evaluation by minimising the use of jargon and
by working with the client to establish a clear vision of the issues at stake, before
conducting a thorough, robust and transparent evaluation. A key aspect of any project
is to ensure that all partners are signed up to the results and that any recommendations
are relevant, actionable and cost effective.