Key Steps to Success
An evaluation programme needs to be designed to measure the legislative objectives as well as the strategic objectives of the funding organization. There is no perfect plan that will suit all countries, states and organizations. This section has outlined a framework which has operated successfully in one jurisdiction and which has already been adapted to suit others, such as South Australia and Thailand. Whatever the system or framework used, there are some lessons which new funding organizations may learn from those which have gone before.
- Demonstrate early success if possible. This may be achieved by funding and supporting more experienced groups to implement programmes. These can be used as models for less experienced groups to follow.
- Develop programmes to build capacity in the workforce. Undertake an audit to determine training needs of partner agencies and then develop a strategy for building the capacity of the health promotion workforce. Successful projects need well trained and highly motivated people to run them.
- Invest in a sound and efficient grants management system. This will make data collection and general accountability much easier to manage.
- Develop a system where the level of evaluation required is appropriate to the project in terms of funds allocated. There will be a poor response if the evaluation requirement is onerous or complicated.
- Ensure that the system can generate a statistically manageable set of measures.
- Be prepared to provide support and training for those undertaking projects who have limited experience in health promotion/evaluation.
Make the development and implementation of an evaluation programme an early priority.
Reference
World Health Organization. (2004). The establishment and use of dedicated taxes for health.
World Health Organization Regional Office for the Western Pacific.