Community The Power to Change

Formative Evaluation 06 Working with a large group of people engaged in processes in which action sometimes proceeds planning involves operating in an environment where chaos is an integral part of the process. This type of work requires attention, openness, and flexibility. One of the ways to ensure these characteristics over time is through the existence of various formative evaluation methodologies. The goal of the formative evaluation is not to summarize processes and certainly not to give a score but rather to design the process as it unfolds and optimally adapt it to the changing reality. Conservative parties may insist that the evaluation be conducted by an external independent party to avoid unpleasant situations. However, in general, such an evaluation entails a significant expense, which is not generally available. Since these are soft social processes, various platforms may be created to facilitate reliable feedback using other methods, through direct conversations and anonymous online questionnaires. Formative evaluation examines the functioning of all the active parties, including mediators (the party that facilitates between the officials and residents), officials and entrepreneurs. When the evaluation is conducted with the proper sensitivity, it is capable of leveraging failures encountered in the process and promoting a welcome change. Experience indicates that writing a report contributes a great deal of validity and recruits supporters for change. At the same time, the written report reinforces the value of the actual activity, which at times may seem marginal or obvious.

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