Stakeholders as partners in evaluation: A stakeholder-collaborative approach

Abstract

An emphasis in recent years on the utilization of evaluation has led to such innovations as stakeholder-based evaluation, which typically allows concerned groups to participate at the planning and review phases of a study. This paper presents a case study of a “stakeholder-collaborative” approach, in which the roles of participants were extended, to incorporate the design, administration, and interpretation of surveys and interviews, extensive data-gathering and development of major portions of the final report. An internal evaluator assigned to the group assumed the roles of facilitator and task manager, to enhance the validity of results. Benefits and disadvantages of the approach for this case are discussed, as well as utilization of the report produced. Six months after submission of the final report, four group members and two major users were interviewed regarding this approach and the report's use; all rated the process positively. Interviewee's suggestions for decreasing problems and maximizing benefits are summarized.