Step 1: Scoping
(This step may not be necessary if you already have an established programme for self evaluation. If that’s the case, go straight to Step 2.)
Take time to consider who should be involved in the very first broad decisions about how the self-evaluation is conducted. These are likely to be people who will have an interest in the results with a view to service improvement – so, for example, your manager, or project sponsor.
But then, before you involve them, do some preparatory thinking about some possible areas of focus for the self-evaluation: for example, are there particular outcomes, or areas of work, or specific geographical areas you want to know more about? Are they showing strengths, or giving concerns?
If you already know that there are specific Quality Indicators (QIs) or areas of work that will need to be self-evaluated, then make these your starting point.
(NB If you are wishing to follow up on outcomes or planned developments from a strategic or area plan that took account of a previous self-evaluation, take that plan as your starting point. If you are meeting the needs of any funding bodies – for example, there are specific outcomes they are interested in, or evaluation techniques requested, or hard data required – then, again, take these as your starting point.)
Then hold the broad view discussions, and agree:
- Your purpose for undertaking self-evaluation, inviting comments
- Your recommendations for the focus of the self-evaluation, and elements or aspects to be evaluated
- Who should be involved in detailed decisions about how the self-evaluation process is conducted….
… And then call this new group together for the detailed discussions…
…and move on to Step 2…
NB: If the plan you are taking as your starting point is based on the previous HGIOCLD2 framework, or another, different framework such as Literacies in the Community etc., then look at the new framework of HGIIDIOC and assign your chosen outcomes to the closest indicators you can find – or to those indicators that would give you a new way of looking at your outcomes, one that interests you. As strategic or development plans, based on the previous framework, reach the end of their lifetimes, the outcomes can be revised or transferred into the most relevant sections of the new framework; whilst new actions generated from self-evaluations based on the new framework can be incorporated alongside.
