August 20, 2010 - 6:16pm
When thinking about the outcomes of a program or service, we usually like to think about the impact on people: how their behavior, attitudes, or knowledge have changed. As I was reflecting on some client's expected outcomes this week, I realized that the word "change" is not clearly defined. I came up with a short typology of change - I'd love your insights about whether there are other types of change that I have missed.
    April 6, 2009 - 2:13pm
    Leah's blog photo sm.jpg A recent book (summarized here) by the National Committee for Responsible Philanthropy has received much ink and pixels by those who take issue with its premise that there are four basic criteria that should guide foundations: * Values * Effectiveness * Ethics * Commitment
    December 17, 2008 - 3:59pm
    By Leah Greetings from my sabbatical! From Dec. 15-January 31, I am catching up on the mountain of "that looks interesting" reading that has been piling up on my desk for... years. My goal is to learn new approaches in planning, evaluation and research that our clients can benefit from.
    December 21, 2007 - 1:05pm
    On Dec. 12, 2007 a new executive order initiated a review of nearly every federal agency to determine: 1. If the agency targets were suitably outcome-oriented; and 2. If measures are appropriate for each target
    October 16, 2007 - 2:16pm
    On a more personal note.... Like everyone we know, disappointment is something we at the Improve Group occasionally face. These disappointments can vary from wishing the results of an evaluation had more positive findings to wishing we were selected for a project.
    May 21, 2007 - 4:34pm

    A few weeks ago I wrote about evaluating programs designed to solve problems. In the blog I discussed logic models and how they can be used to understand a program, its activities and intended outcomes. Shortly after writing the blog, the U.S. congress began exploring how to define outcomes for the war in Iraq.

    May 3, 2007 - 9:14am
    When reading the newspaper or browsing the internet I tend to be drawn to articles in which someone is developing a solution to a widespread (or at least widely talked about) problem.