Stakeholder Analysis for Program Evaluation

Program: (Replace with the specific program you are evaluating)

Stakeholders:

• Program Beneficiaries: Individuals or groups directly impacted by the program’s services.
• Program Staff: Those who deliver the program services.
• Program Managers: Individuals overseeing program implementation.
• Funders: Organizations or individuals who provide financial support.
• Policymakers: Those who influence or create policies related to the program’s area.

Stakeholder Interests:

• Program Beneficiaries: Concerned about the program’s effectiveness in achieving its goals and improving their well-being. They may be interested in aspects like accessibility, program impact on intended outcomes, and areas for improvement.
• Program Staff: Interested in understanding the program’s effectiveness, efficiency, and staff workload. They may want to know if the program design supports their work and if changes are needed.
• Program Managers: Focused on program effectiveness, efficiency, and achieving program goals within budget constraints. They may be interested in cost-benefit analysis, sustainability, and areas for improvement.
• Funders: Concerned about the program’s return on investment, efficient use of funds, and alignment with funding objectives. They may want to see evidence of program impact and decide on future funding allocations.
• Policymakers: Interested in the program’s effectiveness in addressing a social issue and potential for informing broader policy decisions. They may want to see if the program aligns with policy goals and consider scaling up successful interventions.

Ethical Issues:

• Confidentiality: Ensure anonymity and data privacy for program participants.
• Informed Consent: Obtain informed consent from participants regarding data collection and use for evaluation purposes.
• Fairness: Design the evaluation to be fair and unbiased, avoiding favoring specific program aspects or participant groups.
• Transparency: Be transparent about the evaluation methods, findings, and how the results will be used.

Meeting Stakeholder Needs:

The evaluation plan should address the following to meet stakeholder needs:

• Utilize mixed methods: Combine quantitative data (outcomes, costs) with qualitative data (participant experiences, staff perspectives) to provide a holistic picture.
• Focus on program impact: Evaluate the program’s effectiveness in achieving its intended outcomes.
• Analyze cost-effectiveness: Assess the program’s efficiency in achieving its outcomes relative to its costs.
• Gather feedback from all stakeholders: Include surveys, interviews, and focus groups to capture diverse perspectives.

Evaluation Utilization:

• Program Improvement: Use evaluation findings to identify areas for program improvement and guide future program design and implementation.
• Funding Decisions: Provide evidence to funders on the program’s effectiveness and justify continued funding.
• Policy Development: Inform policy decisions related to the program’s area of focus, potentially leading to broader policy changes.
• Dissemination of Results: Share evaluation findings with stakeholders in a clear and accessible format to promote program understanding and utilization of results.

Changes to Evaluation Design:

Based on the stakeholder analysis, consider including the following in your evaluation plan:

• Develop specific data collection methods for each stakeholder group: Tailor surveys or interview questions to address their specific interests.
• Incorporate a cost-effectiveness analysis: Assess program costs alongside its impact on intended outcomes.
• Plan for dissemination of results in multiple formats: Prepare reports, infographics, or presentations suitable for different stakeholders.

By considering stakeholder needs and the evaluation’s ultimate use, you can ensure a more comprehensive and impactful evaluation that informs program improvement, funding decisions, and potential policy changes.