Purposeful Program Theory

Author: Sue C. Funnell
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0470939893
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 576

Book Description
Between good intentions and great results lies a program theory not just a list of tasks but a vision of what needs to happen, and how. Now widely used in government and not-for-profit organizations, program theory provides a coherent picture of how change occurs and how to improve performance. Purposeful Program Theory shows how to develop, represent, and use program theory thoughtfully and strategically to suit your particular situation, drawing on the fifty-year history of program theory and the authors' experiences over more than twenty-five years. "From needs assessment to intervention design, from implementation to outcomes evaluation, from policy formulation to policy execution and evaluation, program theory is paramount. But until now no book has examined these multiple uses of program theory in a comprehensive, understandable, and integrated way. This promises to be a breakthrough book, valuable to practitioners, program designers, evaluators, policy analysts, funders, and scholars who care about understanding why an intervention works or doesn't work." Michael Quinn Patton, author, Utilization-Focused Evaluation "Finally, the definitive guide to evaluation using program theory! Far from the narrow 'one true way' approaches to program theory, this book provides numerous practical options for applying program theory to fulfill different purposes and constraints, and guides the reader through the sound critical thinking required to select from among the options. The tour de force of the history and use of program theory is a truly global view, with examples from around the world and across the full range of content domains. A must-have for any serious evaluator." E. Jane Davidson, PhD, Real Evaluation Ltd. Companion Web site: josseybass.com/go/funnellrogers

Knowledge Solutions

Author: Olivier Serrat
Publisher: Springer
ISBN: 981100983X
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 1098

Book Description
This book is open access under a CC BY-NC 3.0 IGO license. This book comprehensively covers topics in knowledge management and competence in strategy development, management techniques, collaboration mechanisms, knowledge sharing and learning, as well as knowledge capture and storage. Presented in accessible “chunks,” it includes more than 120 topics that are essential to high-performance organizations. The extensive use of quotes by respected experts juxtaposed with relevant research to counterpoint or lend weight to key concepts; “cheat sheets” that simplify access and reference to individual articles; as well as the grouping of many of these topics under recurrent themes make this book unique. In addition, it provides scalable tried-and-tested tools, method and approaches for improved organizational effectiveness. The research included is particularly useful to knowledge workers engaged in executive leadership; research, analysis and advice; and corporate management and administration. It is a valuable resource for those working in the public, private and third sectors, both in industrialized and developing countries.

Logic Modeling Methods in Program Evaluation

Author: Joy A. Frechtling
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 0787981966
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 160

Book Description
Written for students, researchers, consultants, professionals, and scholars, Logic Modeling Methods in Program Evaluation provides a step-by-step explanation of logic modeling and its importance in connecting theory with implementation and outcomes in program evaluation in the social sciences. Logic Modeling Methods in Program Evaluation’s comprehensive approach: · Shows how the logic model can be used to clarify assumptions, reach group consensus, and bridge between various disciplines; · Identifies the specific components of logic modeling and discusses inputs, activities, outputs, short and long-term outcomes, contextual factors, and optional components and variations; · Focuses on the critical role of consensus in the development of a logic model, including factors such as teaming, timing, and collaborative learning; · Explores issues such as the most common mistakes in the development and implementation of logic models and the use of logic models in projects with different levels of complexity or different durations; · Discusses how the logic model can be used to identify the range of outcomes to be examined and how summative questions can be prioritized; · Includes a variety of illustrative case studies of simple, multi-year, and complex projects and demonstrates the use of the logic model to establish project goals and evaluate the project’s outcome.

The ABCs of Evaluation

Author: John Boulmetis
Publisher: John Wiley & Sons
ISBN: 1118103661
Category : Education
Languages : en
Pages : 191

Book Description
Thoroughly revised and updated, the third edition of bestselling The ABCs of Evaluation offers an introduction to program evaluation. This comprehensive textbook covers topics such as stakeholder relationships, program design, data collection and analysis, reporting results, and other important steps in the evaluation process. The ABCs of Evaluation shows how to select participants for the evaluation and how to deal with multiple goals and objectives including those of the organization, the staff, and the client. The authors illustrate the circumstances under which each evaluation model can be used, and offer tips on identifying data sources and collecting the data. This revision includes substantially increased coverage of theory, methodological approaches, the business of evaluation, the evaluator's role and responsibilities, RFPs and the grants process, logic models, data analysis, and writing the evaluation report. Also included are new cases and scenarios from various evaluation realms in social sciences, education, health, and human services. Throughout the book, charts, graphs, models, and lists help organize, extend, and facilitate the understanding of each evaluation concept. Praise for the Previous Edition of The ABCs of Evaluation "A useful general overview of the evaluation process. I would recommend it to program or project managers wanting to know more about the process of evaluation." American Journal of Evaluation "All students (and practitioners) should have this in their library; they will use it frequently." Patricia McGee, PhD, associate professor, University of Texas, San Antonio Companion Web site: www.josseybass.com/go/Boulmetis

Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation

Author: Joseph S. Wholey
Publisher: Jossey-Bass
ISBN: 0787973882
Category : Business & Economics
Languages : en
Pages : 600

Book Description
The second edition of Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation offers managers, analysts, consultants, and educators in government, nonprofit, and private institutions a valuable resource that outlines efficient and economical methods for assessing program results and identifying ways to improve program performance. The Handbook has been thoroughly revised. Many new chapters have been prepared for this edition, including chapters on logic modeling and on evaluation applications for small nonprofit organizations. The Handbook of Practical Program Evaluation is a comprehensive resource on evaluation, covering both in-depth program evaluations and performance monitoring. It presents evaluation methods that will be useful at all levels of government and in nonprofit organizations.

Power in Projects, Programs and Portfolios

Author: John Ryding Olsson
Publisher: Djoef Publishing
ISBN: 9788757434095
Category : Magt-organisationer
Languages : en
Pages : 0

Book Description
Power in Projects, Programs, and Portfolios is the best-selling Danish project management book that highlights the immensely successful Scandinavian approach to leadership within project management, and it takes a more holistic approach to project work and project management. The authoritative book deals with classic project management disciplines and focuses on the essential link between strategic priorities, any program's impact and a project's powerful execution. It takes an in-depth look at areas such as change management, change communication, benefit tracking, program management, and portfolio management. The book offers a large number of practical tools within projects management and leadership with on-line access to concrete and easy-to-use practical tools and templates. Recent years have seen a pronounced increase in the need for professional project management and the careful handling of associated portfolios. This success is essential as key projects become ever more vital for the development and survival of organizations. It is no longer enough for projects to 'just' produce a set of deliverables. They are expected to make a genuine difference within the organization and effect that organization's role in the wider world. Consequently, project management is not just about project managers, it's about how senior management handles crucial portfolios successfully as well. Such active project management requires power, strength, drive, and energy, not only within the individual project itself, but also within the organization's programs and entire project portfolio. It places new demands on both the project manager and their senior management. To access accompanying tools, please visit https: //www.djoef-forlag.dk/sites/powertools/ [Subject: Project Management, Business

Program Evaluation

Author: John M Owen
Publisher: SAGE
ISBN: 1446275671
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 322

Book Description
This book offers a straightforward, practical introduction to evaluation for beginners and practitioners. It shows how to identify appropriate forms and approaches, using an original framework. The authors examine the role of evaluation in program development, and offer techniques for involving stakeholders in the planning process and for disseminating the evaluation findings. They use references to recent research and international examples.

Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement

Author: James C. McDavid
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 145228959X
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 561

Book Description
Program Evaluation and Performance Measurement: An Introduction to Practice, Second Edition offers an accessible, practical introduction to program evaluation and performance measurement for public and non-profit organizations, and has been extensively updated since the first edition. Using examples, it covers topics in a detailed fashion, making it a useful guide for students as well as practitioners who are participating in program evaluations or constructing and implementing performance measurement systems. Authors James C. McDavid, Irene Huse, and Laura R. L. Hawthorn guide readers through conducting quantitative and qualitative program evaluations, needs assessments, cost-benefit and cost-effectiveness analyses, as well as constructing, implementing and using performance measurement systems. The importance of professional judgment is highlighted throughout the book as an intrinsic feature of evaluation practice.

Program Evaluation Theory and Practice

Author: Donna M. Mertens
Publisher: Guilford Press
ISBN: 1462503241
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 642

Book Description
This engaging text takes an evenhanded approach to major theoretical paradigms in evaluation and builds a bridge from them to evaluation practice. Featuring helpful checklists, procedural steps, provocative questions that invite readers to explore their own theoretical assumptions, and practical exercises, the book provides concrete guidance for conducting large- and small-scale evaluations. Numerous sample studies—many with reflective commentary from the evaluators—reveal the process through which an evaluator incorporates a paradigm into an actual research project. The book shows how theory informs methodological choices (the specifics of planning, implementing, and using evaluations). It offers balanced coverage of quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods approaches. Useful pedagogical features include: *Examples of large- and small-scale evaluations from multiple disciplines. *Beginning-of-chapter reflection questions that set the stage for the material covered. *"Extending your thinking" questions and practical activities that help readers apply particular theoretical paradigms in their own evaluation projects. *Relevant Web links, including pathways to more details about sampling, data collection, and analysis. *Boxes offering a closer look at key evaluation concepts and additional studies. *Checklists for readers to determine if they have followed recommended practice. *A companion website with resources for further learning.

The Logic Model Guidebook

Author: Lisa Wyatt Knowlton
Publisher: SAGE Publications
ISBN: 1483307239
Category : Social Science
Languages : en
Pages : 193

Book Description
The Logic Model Guidebook offers clear, step-by-step support for creating logic models and the modeling process in a range of contexts. Lisa Wyatt Knowlton and Cynthia C. Phillips describe the structures, processes, and language of logic models as a robust tool to improve the design, development, and implementation of program and organization change efforts. The text is enhanced by numerous visual learning guides (sample models, checklists, exercises, worksheets) and many new case examples. The authors provide students, practitioners, and beginning researchers with practical support to develop and improve models that reflect knowledge, practice, and beliefs. The Guidebook offers a range of new applied examples. The text includes logic models for evaluation, discusses archetypes, and explores display and meaning. In an important contribution to programs and organizations, it emphasizes quality by raising issues like plausibility, feasibility, and strategic choices in model creation.