W7d1 Grant 652 Disc

Evaluating Results and Benefits

Week #7 Lecture 1

The Important Role of the Evaluator

Have you ever considered what it might be like to perform evaluations for a living? Some might be excited to take on this type of position while others are looking to steer clear of the stress of what some might feel being an evaluator experience. Regardless of the take you have on this type of position; it is important to understand the important role an evaluator has within the workplace.

 

Often you will find that management takes on the role of the evaluator within the workplace. This can be positive for the organization because who knows the workplace better than the one managing it? However, there are times where a third-party is necessary to ensure that the workplace and the processes within are working adequately without bias.

 

The role of an evaluator will differ based on the evaluation approach being used within the workplace. Keep in mind that there are a number of evaluation approaches to choose from and what might be used this time may not be what is used in the future. However, in most evaluator roles, the evaluator will be expected to:

 

·         Engage in a structured effort to learn the concerns, assumptions, questions, data needs, and intentions of stakeholders for their evaluation

·         Develop the evaluation to answer questions and meet priorities

·         Remain in charge of the technical research work

·         Report back frequently to ensure the study is on target

·         Explain data results to stakeholders and representatives

 

Now that you understand what an evaluator is, let’s discuss how to choose an evaluator for the organization. When a company decides an evaluation is needed for individuals or a program, it is important to decide who will conduct the evaluations. An evaluator should be someone who understands the program and has the skills to conduct the evaluation properly. The evaluator may be an employee chosen internally or may be a third-party source brought in for the purpose. In order to decide who is best, it is important to consider the type of data needed and the purpose for the evaluation. The person who is chosen to conduct the evaluation should be unbiased and professional. Using an employee within the workplace is not always the best way to go as this will take the person away from their typical day-to-day tasks. In addition, an evaluator chosen from inside will be exposed to personal and secured information, so it is important to choose a person who is ethical and trustworthy. An evaluator will spend a lot of time collecting and analyzing data, so experience with these concepts is critical to the success of the evaluation.

 

Once the evaluator has been chosen, it is important to consider the behavior that will need to be upheld throughout the process. First and foremost, please remember that when evaluating people, it is important to acknowledge that they have feelings and are indeed human. Take the time to share both the positives and negatives in their evaluation and explain where improvements could be made. This is a great time to discuss goals and create a plan for improvement. In addition, please remember to be ethical in your evaluation process. Honesty is always best when evaluating projects and people within the workplace.

 

Once the evaluator has been chosen, the next steps to consider are the methods in which data will be collected. The evaluator will decide the best methods based on the evaluation data that is to be collected. The type of data to collect and the people who will be evaluated are two key components to determining the best evaluation methods. Common methods today are online surveys, focus groups, and individual interviews. The end goal is to use the methods for evaluation that will obtain effective and efficient data.

 

Once data has been obtained and feedback provided, it is important to put a plan into place for future improvement. Maintaining relationships is important among those who were involved in the process. Taking the time to uphold relationships will help to ensure that improvement is occurring. This will also prevent a downward slide in behavior. Feedback is an essential part of the evaluation process, especially when change is mandatory. Establishing the relationship with those involved will encourage and promote open discussions to ensure the success of change moving forward.

 

The evaluation process is an important one and it should not be taken lightly. The more time spent to ensure a proper evaluation will result in more long-term success. Take the time to follow up and ensure that changes are being made properly. Doing so will reduce error and improve overall productivity.