As a grant writer, it always amazed me how few organizations had an evaluation process. One part of a successful grant proposal is a well-defined evaluation strategy. No foundation will spend a dollar on an organization that has no way of evaluating whether it has successfully reached its stated objectives.
The same goes for living a successful life. We all need some process in which we can effectively check our progress against our objectives. John Wooden once said: “Without proper self-evaluation, failure is inevitable”.
This means developing the ability to set realistic benchmarks and evaluating our progress in relation to a given standard (like time, size, cost, date etc.). Having regular evaluation helps us know if we’re on track or off the mark.
Remember we can’t evaluate, what we can’t measure.
5 Steps for Effective Evaluation
Step 1: Establish Process:
Having a series of actions and steps in order to achieve a particular end is – “A Process”. When defining your process try use the Smart system – Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Relevant and Time Based. It also helps to do it in writing, set benchmarks and be flexible until you find a system that works.
Step 2: Set Metrics:
What standard will you use? Is it time, weight, amount, length, speed, or some other target you’re trying to reach? Knowing what your aiming for is key. Once we have a standard, we can set a timeline in which we check our progress. Remember to evaluate using reality. Basically, use what you have accomplished, not hoped to accomplish.
Step 3: Gather Information:
Accumulating data is easier if we answer the where, when, what, why, who and how questions during the process of reaching goals. Also researching alternative methods is useful.
Step 4: Review and Analyze:
I prefer the MOST method. Evaluation depends on: Mission (your purpose), Objectives (Key goals), Strategies (option to achieve objectives) and Tactics (actions we take).
Step 5: Make Adjustments:
The 3 areas we adjust are: Goal, Plan or Actions. Be careful not to change goals too early in the process. Moving the goalpost often is discouraging at best. Changing plans typically arise when our current course is not working. Changing actions is typically the first thing we do. If one action doesn’t work, try another.
Things to remember:
Check progress against what you have accomplished, not what you hope to accomplish.- Perform your evaluation at your peak. If you are a morning person don’t do it at night.
- Start early in the process to give you time to adjust pace.
- Set realistic time-tables. It takes time to establish discipline. So, don’t rush.
- Work with other people, who know you well, and ask for advice or suggestions.
- Put together a spreadsheet, journal, or word document to track progress, failure and a written record to review later.
- Set aside a large chunk of time, say every month or so, to check your overall progress.
- If you are not advancing or progressing properly, try to experiment with different ways of doing things.
- Try to focus on the positive areas and not so much on the negative ones. This may help you keep a positive mental/emotional attitude during the process.
- Assign different awards for yourself when you reach milestones or significant advancement towards your goals.
Eighth Commandment of Success: Conclusion
Finally be careful not to give up too early, or fall back into old habits. Our times of evaluation are not meant to be a way to beat yourself up for missing a deadline or objective. The purpose of evaluation is to determine if we are going in the right direction and to keep us on track.