Before talking more about strategic evaluation, first choose the purpose of the evaluation: is it about approaches, methods, designs or purposes? There are several ways to conceptualize an assessment, and because of this, the development of diversity when it comes to that term has become rampant. People often get confused about which method to use, mainly because they don’t know what its purpose is in the first place. Our focus will be on strategic evaluation so you can decide if this is the best evaluation method for you.
It is important for a business or organization to conduct a strategic assessment to analyze whether their strategies will be helpful and useful when it comes to their long-term plans. What separates this type of evaluation process from others is the fact that it emphasizes that evaluation designs must be based on the value of information. Strategic evaluation basically focuses on conceptualizing strategies that will help in solving social problems. This type of evaluation is not concerned with delivery and implementation, but instead focuses on answering these two main questions:
– Are the projects and activities relevant to the desired result?
-In terms of community cohesion, what are the possible effects of your project?
Basically, a strategic evaluation needs to be done twice. The initial appraisal is done before the project starts and once it has been recognized at the start, the second appraisal follows once the project has officially started delivering goods and services. The strategic assessment should be done twice so that project managers and business owners know if there are any changes that need to be made or if there are other complementary factors that need to be added. Knowing the status of the project and strategic plans is crucial because it will help management determine potential missing links between the causal chain (strategic plans, outputs, and results) and also to address potential threats to the project in the community. .
There are five elements that make up a strategic assessment that must be understood in order to fully use the method for its optimal support:
1. Project Inputs: This refers to the resources, income, and investments that have been invested or needed for the project.
2. Project activities: answers the question of what the project does with its resources and income, such as delivering goods and services, not only to its clients but to the community in general.
3. Project results: this is the immediate result of the project, while;
4. Project results: refers to the long-term effect of the project.
5. Impacts of the project on community cohesion: Evaluates the overall impact of the project on the community, whether positive or negative.
However, keep in mind that the strategic assessment should not only be done if you are starting a project. It is also important to carry out an assessment even if a company already exists because it may influence future practice. Since the needs of customers and clients often change, it is crucial to review and evaluate strategies to divert the focus of a project and change its perspectives.