Formative Evaluation | A method for judging the worth of a program while the program activities are forming (in progress). | During the development of a new program and when an existing program is being modified or is being used in a new setting or with a new population.
| Whether the proposed program elements are likely to be needed, understood, and accepted by the population you want to reach.
| It allows for modifications to be made to the plan before full implementation begins and maximizes the likelihood the program will succeed.
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Evaluability Assessment | A systematic process that helps identify whether program evaluation is justified, feasible, and likely to provide useful information. | As a pre-evaluation tool to determine if a program is ready for evaluation and to identify potential issues or gaps that could hinder a successful evaluation.
| The readiness of a program for evaluation by examining its design, implementation, and potential for useful information, determining if justified, feasible, and to provide valuable insights.
| Provides recommendations on how the program could be improved to make it ready for an evaluation, or it reaches conclusion that the program is not ready for an evaluation.
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Needs Assessment | A systematic process for collecting information that identifies key health needs and issues within a specific group or community. | Before planning a new program or initiative, during periodic reviews of existing projects, when implementing a change, to justify grants, or to understand a community's strengths and needs.
| The gaps between a current situation and a desired outcome, helping identify areas for improvement and inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and program development.
| They help organizations and communities identify unmet needs, prioritize resources, and ensure that interventions and solutions are effective and tailored to the specific context.
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Process Evaluation | The systematic collection of information to determine the extent to which policies, programs, or initiatives have been implemented as intended and to which program improvements are needed to implement it as planned. | As soon as program implementation begins and during operation of an existing program.
| How well the program is working and the extent to which the program is being implemented as designed and whether it is accessible and acceptable to its target population. | Provides an early warning for any programs that may occur and allows programs to monitor how well their program plans and activities are working.
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Program Monitoring | The continuous assessment of a program or intervention. | Continuously throughout a program's lifecycle, from planning to implementation and beyond, to track progress, identify issues, and ensure the program is on track to achieve its goals.
| Ongoing progress toward goals, identifies potential problems early, and helps improve processes and activities as they are implemented.
| Allows for tracking progress, identifying potential issues early, and making data-driven decisions to improve program effectiveness and resource allocation.
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Outcome Evaluation | A systematic process for collecting information to determine the degree to which, if at all, a policy, program or initiative is affecting the intended target population(s) and whether or not program improvements are needed to achieve intended outcomes. | After the program has made contact with at least one person or group in the target population. | The degree to which the program is having an effect of the target population's behaviors.
| Tells whether the program is being effective in meeting it's objectives.
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Summative Evaluation | A method of judging the worth of a program at the end of the program activities.
| After completion, to determine whether program achieved its intended goals and objectives by assessing the overall effectiveness of the program.
| Collect information from multiple sources over time to demonstrate the evidence of the program's effectiveness.
| Useful when deciding whether to continue, end, or expand a program.
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Economic Evaluation | A systematic process for identifying resources being used to implement a policy, program, or initiative and their costs (direct and indirect) to determine if substantiated outcomes justify the allocation of DoD resources. | At the beginning of a program and during the operation of an existing program.
| What resources are being used in a program and their costs (direct and indirect) compared to outcomes.
| Provides program managers and funders a way to assess cost relative to effects.
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Impact Evaluation | A systematic process for collecting information to determine whether or not an initiative or program is effective in achieving its ultimate goals. | During the operation of an existing program at appropriate intervals and at the end of a program. | The degree to which the program meet its ultimate goal on an overall rate of something.
| Provides evidence for use in policy and funding decisions.
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