The Value of Engaging Stakeholders in Planning and Implementing Evaluations

Abstract

Stakeholder participation in evaluation has surfaced as a major factor contributing to the effectiveness of HIV prevention programs. In recognition of the multiple benefits, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), has used a framework to involve stakeholders in the evaluation of its programs. This article describes the framework used by the CDC and provides examples of four studies that involved various stakeholders from health departments, community-based organizations, and community planning groups to national and regional organizations in designing and implementing evaluations that yielded results useful for program improvement. The participatory process involved stakeholders in each of the four phases of the framework: evaluation planning, implementation, development of action plans, and dissemination. Lessons learned include the importance of having a facilitator to coordinate activities and ongoing communication with those involved in the evaluation. Stakeholders shared that using the evaluation results for action planning was beneficial for improving their programs. Despite many challenges faced in the stakeholder evaluation process, most stakeholders agreed that many benefits grew out of the multiple perspectives presented and understanding of the service agencies.

Collaborative Governance in Theory and Practice

“…Leadership is widely seen as a critical ingredient in bringing parties to the table and for steering them through the rough patches of the collaborative process Chrislip and Larson 1994;Frame, Gunton, and Day 2004;Gilliam et al 2002;Gunton and . Although ''unassisted'' negotiations are sometimes possible, the literature overwhelmingly finds that facilitative leadership is important for bringing stakeholders together and getting them to engage each other in a collaborative spirit (Chrislip and Larson 1994;Ozawa 1993;Pine, Warsh, and Maluccio 1998;Reilly 2001;Susskind and Cruikshank 1987).…”

The Qualities Needed for a Successful Collaboration: A Contribution to the Conceptual Understanding of Collaboration for Efficient Public Transport

“…Dialogue is considered to be an essential (but not the only) prerequisite for success: it is critical for building trust, mutual respect and understanding, involvement in the process, and for breaking stereotypical conceptions and other barriers that prevent the exploitation of joint benefits [21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28].…”

“…This highlights the importance of clear, fair, and open processes to achieve engagement by the participants. In order to become involved in a collaboration that may take an unforeseen direction, the organizations need to feel that they have ownership and share responsibility for the process [22]. Their perceptions of the ownership of the process in turn affect their perceptions about roles and responsibilities [50,51].…”

Balancing Empiricism and Local Cultural Knowledge in the Design of Prevention Research

“…It is notable that CBPR researchers have also recommended the use of facilitators in non-AIAN communities. 18 It can be especially helpful for the facilitator to be an AIAN individual who is known and trusted by tribal members (though not necessarily a member of the participating tribe) and to be familiar with prevention research. The facilitator should be responsible for developing a meeting structure and setting the agenda.…”

“…15 Within the CBPR approach, the input of key community stakeholders is solicited in all phases of the research project, 16,17 including planning, implementation, development of action plans, and dissemination of results. 18 CBPR has been used in prevention studies involving cancer risk among African Americans, 19 sexual health in college students, 20 diabetes in American Indian children, 21 indigenous populations in Ecuador, 4 families and teachers in an Early Head Start program, 22 urban health, 15 heart health, 23 traumatized immigrant children in school settings, 24 well-being in rural communities, 25 and social determinants of health. 26 CBPR has the potential to be especially useful in contexts in which cultural diversity and/or socioeconomic disparities are an issue.…”