The Program Evaluation KnowledgeBase : Element 1 : Activity 2 : Task 3: Orient Evaluation Team
At the first meeting, prior to starting work, the evaluation team should have an orientation session. The project leader should provide an overview of the team's charter, the anticipated time line for completing its work, and discuss team dynamics. When presenting the orientation, the project lead might concentrate on the project specifics and utilize a person experienced with group dynamics to focus on the interpersonal interactions among team members. The length of the session can be mitigated by providing background material to the team members to review in advance. Orienting the evaluation team gives it focus and direction, two conditions necessary for a successful team effort.
Individual group members often have divergent viewpoints. Edward de Bono's Six Thinking Hats is an effective system that fosters collaboration, increases productivity, and increases creativity and innovation. The concept enables protagonists in a discussion to move from the traditional argumentative approach to a collaborative process and fosters a more productive dialog. The document provides an overview of the tool and additional resources to learn more about it.
This guide from the Team Handbook can assist team members with understanding how to have a productive meeting.
This link is to program evaluation standards published by the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation.
This guide reviews the basic elements of the evaluation process. Though written to fulfill program goals of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Administration on Children, Youth, and Families, it may be useful as a basic primer on evaluation.
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