Evaluation strategies that are sure to uncover what you’re looking for
By June N. Price-Shingles
Continuous evaluation may be the single-most important aspect of operating a successful leisure-service agency. The worldwide onset of the pandemic has caused every profession and industry to evaluate all aspects of daily operations and adjust how programs are delivered and services are maintained. Evaluation is the systematic collection and analysis of data to address criteria to make judgments about the worth or improvement of something (Henderson, Bialeschki, 2002). Its major purpose is to make “enlightened” decisions. Most of us are continually engaged in intuitive evaluation regarding staff members, programs, facilities, policies, and participants. As you read on, think about what, when, and why you evaluate.
Evaluation takes place in many forms and spans five specific areas known as the Five Ps:
- Participants
- Programs
- Personnel
- Place (facilities)
- Policies (Henderson, Bialeschki, 2002).
Although the Five Ps are not mutually exclusive to leisure-service agencies, they do encapsulate what recreation providers do daily—formally and/or informally. Evaluation helps agencies make informed decisions about business operations, program design and delivery, policy revision (or creation), capital-improvement projects and purchases, as well as data for proposals and grant submissions. Ultimately, evaluation helps determine the value or worth of what we want to improve, thus enhancing the ability to deliver quality programs and services.