Utilisation-focused evaluation (U-FE) checklist

Composed by Michael Quinn Patton in 2002 and updated in 2013, this is a comprehensive checklist for undertaking a utilisation-focused evaluation.

It draws attention to the necessary tasks and associated challenges of conducting utilisation-focused evaluation (UFE).

Excerpt

"Utilization-Focused Evaluation begins with the premise that evaluations should be judged by their utility and actual use; therefore, evaluators should facilitate the evaluation process and design any evaluation with careful consideration of how everything that is done, from beginning to end, will affect use. Use concerns how real people in the real world apply evaluation findings and experience and learn from the evaluation process." (Patton 2013, p.1)

Contents

Step 1 Assess and build program and organisational readiness for utilisation-focused evaluation. 
Step 2 Assess and enhance evaluator readiness and competence to undertake a utilisation-focused evaluation. 
Step 3 Identify, organise, and engage primary intended users. 
Step 4 Conduct situation analysis with primary intended users 
Step 5 Identify primary intended uses by establishing the evaluation’s priority purposes. 
Step 6 Consider and build in process uses if appropriate. 
Step 7 Focus priority evaluation questions. 
Step 8 Check that fundamental areas for evaluation inquiry are being adequately addressed. 
Step 9 Determine what intervention model or theory of change is being evaluated. 
Step 10 Negotiate appropriate methods to generate credible findings and support intended use by intended users. 
Step 11 Make sure intended users understand potential controversies about methods and their implications. 
Step 12 Simulate use of findings. 
Step 13 Gather data with ongoing attention to use. 
Step 14 Organise and present the data for use by primary intended users. 
Step 15 Prepare an evaluation report to facilitate use and disseminate significant findings to expand influence. 
Step 16 Follow up with primary intended users to facilitate and enhance use. 
Step 17 Meta-evaluation of use: Be accountable, learn, and improve 

Sources

Patton M Q (2013) Utilization-Focused Evaluation (U-FE) Checklist. Retrieved from http://www.wmich.edu/sites/default/files/attachments/u350/2014/UFE_checklist_2013.pdf

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