Readiness in Evaluation
Three Prompts for Evaluators
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.3138/cjpe.42238Keywords:
collaborative evaluation, decision making, organizational learning, readiness, utilization-focused evaluationAbstract
The notion of readiness in evaluation is often tacit: it can be hidden in the Request for Proposals by a granting agency calling for an evaluation; or, at best, it is hinted at in the winning consultant’s bid. We are practitioners committed to learning-oriented, practical evaluations. However, we have found that the extent to which the client is ready for a collaborative, utilization-focused evaluation (UFE) that enhances organizational learning is often taken for granted. We have learned to address “readiness” early on, as it is a lynchpin that shapes every subsequent step of the process. We bring attention to the examples from our practice to highlight three dimensions of readiness: the power to design, the commitment to learn, and building an evaluation culture.
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ricardo Ramírez, Dal Brodhead, Wendy Quarry
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