Conclusion

By conducting performance measurement and program evaluation, you will be able to determine the extent to which you have built on existing community resources and are meeting the unique needs of your target population. As this guide has illustrated, developing performance measures and conducting program evaluations are necessary to determining the outcomes of your program activities.

The essential elements of measuring program performance and conducting evaluations include proper planning, identifying outcomes and measures, conducting needs assessments, developing appropriate questions, defining goals and objectives, and choosing the right evaluation design. Each step of the process builds on the previous step, so the instruments you design and the data you collect, analyze, and report all contribute to a successful program evaluation. The results can assist you with ongoing program planning, program refinement, and, most important, program sustainability.