W6D1 Granth 652
Week 6 Discussion 1
Evaluation and Measurement in Not-for-Profit Sectors
Many individuals associated with community agencies, health care, public workforce development, and similar not-for-profit organizations view program evaluation akin to a visit to the dentist’s office. It’s painful, but at some point it cannot be avoided. A major reason for this perspective is that evaluation is seen as taking money away from program activities that perform good for others, that is, intruding on valuable resources that are intended for delivering the “real” services of the organization (Kopczynski & Pritchard, 2004). A major reason for this logic is that since there are limited funds available to serve the public good, why must a portion of program delivery be allocated to something other than serving people in need? This is not an unreasonable point and one that program managers in not-for-profits face on a continuing basis.
The focus of evaluation in not-for-profit organization has shifted in recent years from administrative data to outcome measurement, impact evaluation, and sustainability (Aspen Institute, 2000), thus a shift from short-term to long-term effects of interventions. Evaluators in the not-for-profit sector view their world as the combination of technical knowledge, communication skills, and political savvy that can make or break the utility and value of the program under consideration. Evaluation in not-for-profit settings tends to value the importance of teamwork, collaboration, and generally working together. This chapter is meant to provide a glimpse at a minor portion of the evaluation efforts that take place in the not-for-profit sector. It excludes, for example, the efforts in public education, but does provide some context for workforce development efforts.
Mosele, J. & Dessinger, J. (2009). Handbook of Improving Performance in the Workplace. (Volume 3). Pfeiffer-Wiley
To prepare for this Discussion, pay particular attention to the following Learning Resources:
· Review this week’s Learning Resources, especially:
· Read Week 6 Lecture – See Word doc .
· Read Chapter 16-17 – See Word doc
Assignment:
This week you had the opportunity to learn about evaluation within the workplace at a level where results affect the outcome of the company’s success.
· Using your current workplace as an example.
· Justify the need for an evaluation process within the workplace.
· Your discussion should analyze the tools that are currently being used within the workplace to evaluate processes and employees.
· Distinguish which tools you have learned about that could be recommended as a positive addition to current evaluation process.
· 3 – 4 paragraphs
· No plagiarism
· APA citing