Reviewing and evaluating projects and programs

by Alan Woodward

“Hello, I’m the consultant - I’m here for the review.”

It’s not an introduction that generally leads to immediate warmth in the response. People do not generally welcome review or evaluation of the work that they are doing. So, review consultants become used to being as popular as taxation officers and dentists.

Yet, review and evaluation processes do not need to be painful. The main challenge is to avoid ‘audit’ style approaches that create defensiveness. Participatory techniques, which include those affected by the evaluation, can create an exploratory and learning environment that is inclusive and positive.

Twyford Consulting has found that this inclusive approach works effectively to engage people in review and evaluation activities. The emphasis is on identifying the learning that can emerge from looking closely at the experiences and achievements of the past.

Typically, participatory approaches have the following features:

1. Consultation on the scope and objectives of the review.
2. General agreement on the method and information collection techniques
3. Exposure to the initial findings from information analysis
4. Involvement in the development of recommendations for improvements
5. Attention to the implementation steps to apply the learning from the review process.

In our recent evaluation of the Parramatta River Foreshore Improvement Program for the Department of Urban Affairs and Planning, we held discussions with residents, local council officers, businesses and community leaders to develop a common understanding about the Program’s achievements and possible improvements. The use of site studies helped to engage people in a practical way in the evaluation process.

Twyford Consulting Newsletter May 2001