“[Sarah] offered her expertise and served as part sounding board, part educator and part questioner. Sarah also demonstrated a consistency with follow through and an attention to detail that was necessary to ensure that the work moved forward. Should the opportunity arise, I would collaborate with her again in a heartbeat.”
-Stephanie Korber, Director of Opportunity, Episcopal Community Services, Philadelphia
Accurate and insightful program data is essential to understanding your organizational strategy and impact.
Measurement and learning should be incorporated into the organization’s strategic planning process and all phases of program design and implementation.
I offer three main services to meet these goals:
Preparing for Evaluations and Enhancing Readiness
When it comes to showing progress and impact through Evaluation, many organizations and their respective programs/portfolios are set up to fail. Preparation for evaluation is essential to showing results, including: revisiting the alignment between program conceptualization and implementation, setting evaluation priorities, creating demand for and use of evaluation results, and establishing a quality data collection and analysis process.
I help organizations and their programs/portfolios get ready for evaluation through Evaluability Assessments. This process leads to immediate improvements in program design and implementation, while also supporting and ensuring readiness for evaluation.
Building Evaluation & Performance Monitoring Systems
Evaluation & Performance Monitoring Systems are crucial for organizations to assess the effectiveness, efficiency, and impact of their activities. These systems help measure outcomes, identify areas for improvement, and track progress towards goals. They enable data-informed decision-making and promote organizational growth and success. By implementing robust systems and engaging stakeholders, organizations can drive positive change and achieve lasting impact.
I enhance an organization’s capacity by designing custom Evaluation & Performance Monitoring Systems that meet each organization’s goals. This includes: (Co)Designing the Evaluation & Performance Monitoring Framework, supporting the implementation of the resulting Evaluation & Performance Monitoring System, and incorporating the System into existing workflows.
Enhancing the Learning Culture within the Organization
A Learning Culture is essential for the growth and success of any organization. It fosters a mindset of continuous improvement and empowers employees to expand their knowledge and skills. By investing in learning and development initiatives, companies can create a culture that encourages curiosity, collaboration, and innovation. This, in turn, leads to increased employee engagement, improved performance, and a competitive edge in the market. Emphasizing the importance of learning and providing resources such as training programs, mentorship opportunities, and educational tools can help organizations build a strong learning culture.
I use various strategies and tools that support learning including prioritizing and measuring learning through Evaluation Maturity Models, building informative Data Dashboards and other data visuals, establishing Learning Academies, hosting Data Parties and other Meaning-making sessions, conducting Before and After Action Reviews, and maintaining Learning Logs and Learning Agendas.