Why Monitor and Evaluate?

Mid-stream monitoring of programs, projects, conferences, and workshops can afford critical opportunities for fine-tuning a program and avoiding negative results. Responses regarding satisfaction with program elements, program strengths and weaknesses, administration, support, and other appropriate questions can assist in shaping outreach, delivery, and support to past, present, and potential users.

Impact and outcomes analysis will enable you to improve a program's recruitment, promotion, fundraising, and dissemination strategies. Knowing impacts can help you craft very specific messages regarding those who have been affected by your program. These messages can explain clearly how and why supporting the program in future holds added value for donors or grant-makers.

Access to systematic (rather than anecdotal) information about past program impacts will help recruit the best participants in the future. Evaluation will help you:

• Enhance program visibility and value.
• Negotiate future cooperative agreements with partners.
• Articulate the value of supporting your program to potential funders.
• Make decisions about programmatic themes and new directions.
• Shape the future selection of program participants (criteria and processes).
• Add material for public relations and promotional materials.
• Decide whether to start or continue a program.

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