Evaluation Methods -- From Logic Models to Outcome Measurement

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  Do-It-Yourself Market Research Part I:

  This articule focuses on how to do market research. The information is from The Nonprofit Strategy Revolution: Real-Time Strategic Planning in a Rapid-Response World by David La Piana. One of the main points La Piana makes in his book is that nonprofits need to be more strategic in their thinking on a daily basisâ

  Fieldstone Alliance
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  Free resources for program evaluation methods

  If you are seriously interested in program evaluation or want to be able to offer and informed critique of the evaluation activities of others, you should check out this site that offers a pretty complete discussion of the pros and cons of the various research methodologies used in carrying out evaluations. It comes from an unnamed expert through the Athabaska Universityâ

  Athabasca University
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  Logic models-- the key to successful evaluations

  One of the more difficult concepts in the theory of evaluation is that of 'logic models'. These are explicit statements of the likely links between what an organization does and the impact of these activities. For an excellent booklet on how to develop your own logic models for evaluation, see this logic model development guide from the Kellogg Foundation.

  The Kellogg Foundation
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  Outcome measurement-- the evaluation gold standard

  "Basic Guide to Outcomes-Based Evaluation for Nonprofit Organizations with Very Limited Resources" from Carter McNamara. A great introduction to the somewhat complex subject as usual.

  Authenticity Consulting
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  Lessons in outcome measurement from The Indepedent Sector

  Current practices and recommendations". This is an 11-page report on research carried out for the U.S. umbrella organization Independent Sector. It reports on current practices of a cross section of American nonprofits in the area of outcome measurement. If you want to see practical examples of what outcome measurement really means, check this one out.

  Independent Sector
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  Lessons in outcome measurement from the United Way

  Back in the mid-90s, the United Way of America began focusing on getting its grant recipients to measure outcomes so it could make a stronger case to donors about the impact of voluntary organizations on their communities. This article summarizes the lessons learned from these efforts and offers practical advice on how to implement outcome-based evaluation.

  United Way of America
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  Measuring the triple bottom line in nonprofit organizations

  The Global Reporting Initiative is an international body dedicated to having business and nonprofit organizations become more accountable by measuring and reporting on their effectivenss in terms of their social, economic and environment impacts. This is their first set of 'how to measure' guidelines.

  Global Reporting Initiative
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  Assess organizational performance using the Drucker model

  Peter Drucker, the well-known management guru, established a foundation to further his work in this area. This site deals with a self-assessment guide that Drucker developed.It provides a basic description of the "tool" to be used in carrying out a self-assessment though the full details are only available by purchasing the publication.

  Leader to Leader Institute
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  Assess organizational performance with the Balanced Scorecard

  The Balanced Scorecard is an evaluation tool that was developed originally for business. It was the first tool to explicity recognize that it is important to evaluate more than financial performance. It has now been adapted to the public and nonprofit sector by Paul Niven, See details of the second edition of this book here.

  Senalosa Group
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  Assess organizational performance through benchmarking

  One of the best ways for deciding how well a given program or organization is doing is by comparing what it does with what other organizations with excellent performance reputations do. This is known as "benchmarking". This site describes how to introduce benchmarking to your organization.

  The Center for What Works
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  Seven benchmarks for Canadian nonprofits to use

  "Benchmarks of Excellence for the Voluntary Sector" by Linda Mollenhauer (sponsored by the ALS Society of Canada) provides a model involving seven criteria that make up the essentials of a successful nonprofit. She also illustrates it with case studies from several outstanding Canadian nonprofit organizations

  ALS Society of Canada