“The most serious mistakes are not being made as a result of wrong answers. The truly dangerous thing is asking the wrong question” – Peter Drucker

Independent review and evaluation is a systematic method for collecting, analysing and using information to assess the impact and effectiveness of any change and improvement.

It is calculated by testing:

• What works?
• What has a positive or negative impact?
• What is being done that needs to stop?
• What needs to change?
• What will provide a positive social or financial return on investment?

The 5 main reasons our clients decide to undertake a review are:

• Finding out what works and what does not work – A process or outcome evaluation helps managers and leaders to answer the basic questions about effectiveness. Knowing what works helps to focus resources and time when moving forward.
• Showcasing the effectiveness to key stakeholders, partners, communities, and funders – Evaluation findings can demonstrate how changes to service and working practices have delivered improvements
• Improving how people and teams work through engagement – By supporting and engaging the workforce to respond positively to changes. This is achieved by contextualising the changes, listening and feeding back their ideas and views on further improvements.
• Planning for the future – Conducting an evaluation with an outside evaluator will build an organisations capacity to conduct critical self-assessments e.g. needs assessments, and staff performance.
• Building knowledge – Contributing to the evidence-base on what works for your business can have wider benefits to society, especially those with similar challenges in their own teams.

We use a range of evidence based evaluation tools and approaches. These include:

• Qualitative and quantitative e.g. questionnaires, interviews, and focus groups.
• Impact assessments.
• Rapid assessment and critical reviews.
• Multi-site evaluation.
• Organisational diagnostics.
• Team effectiveness and evaluation.
• Multi-agency and multi sector reviews.

Benefits of our approach:

• Clarity of evaluation methods and approach.
• Independent perspective; creating external challenge
• Engagement of key stakeholders in the review process.
• Reports to inform changes to service, working methods, and team working.
• Informs decision making processes.
• Highlights good practice and existing benefits.
• Early warning for initiatives to change course or discontinue.

Image attribution: Wikipedia