An Integral Approach to Evaluating Outcome Evaluation Training

Abstract

Public and private nonprofit organizations are increasing training efforts to build individual and organizational capacity to carry out and utilize outcome evaluation. Evaluators of training are challenged to find comprehensive evaluative frameworks. Traditional training evaluation tend to focus individual change, while organization-focused efforts tend to incorporate individual change as a necessary sub-component of the larger entity’s change. Neither approach adequately incorporates a developmental context within the evaluative framework. This article presents an integral, developmental approach that links individual and collective attributes. The use of the framework is illustrated with examples from Check Points, an outcome evaluation training program of Michigan State University and United Way of Michigan. The article concludes with suggestions for improving training and evaluative efforts.