Part C. Develop a Work Plan

Resources – Further Reading – Partnering with Tribal Nations on Research26 – Non-researchers Guide to Evidence-based Program Evaluation27 – Rural Health Community Toolkit – Evaluation Design28

Tools – Guides and Toolkits – Selecting an evaluator29 – Evaluator finder30

Children from Minnie and Lovie Ward Recreation Center in San Francisco sit in front of a summer art installation.

As with any successful project management plan, you should develop a work plan for your evaluation. The work plan serves as a management tool to ensure that you assign sufficient time to each step in the evaluation design, data collection and dissemination of results. The work plan should be time based and chronological. All major deliverables should be outlined, including interim deliverables and milestones — such as drafts, multiple points of input and review. The evaluation lead or point of contact should be responsible for monitoring the work plan. Many components of the plan will take place at the same time as program design and implementation. A designated lead who is different from the program manager is most desirable to make certain all steps are provided full attention throughout the program. You should share the work plan with your partners and collaborators to keep them aware of your plans and time constraints. In addition, any steps that require partner participation should be clearly marked and communicated to ensure all contributors are aware of their responsibilities.

Definitions

Institutional Review Board (IRB): IRBs review research studies to ensure that they comply with applicable regulations, meet commonly accepted ethical standards, follow institutional policies, and adequately protect research participants.25

Evaluation studies typically do not require IRB review because the information collected is only used to make judgements about the program, improve effectiveness and inform decisions about future program development.