Readiness in evaluation: Three prompts for evaluators

Abstract

The notion of readiness in evaluation is often tacit: it can be hidden in the Request for Proposals by a granting agency calling for an evaluation; or, at best, it is hinted at in the winning consultant's bid. We are practitioners committed to learning-oriented, practical evaluations. However, we have found that the extent to which the client is ready for a collaborative, utilization-focused evaluation (UFE) that enhances organizational learning is often taken for granted. We have learned to address “readiness” early on, as it is a lynchpin that shapes every subsequent step of the process. We bring attention to the examples from our practice to highlight three dimensions of readiness: the power to design, the commitment to learn, and building an evaluation culture.