At Evaluation Support Scotland (ESS) we promote self-evaluation. By learning how to evaluate your own activity you will discover what works or doesn’t, and how to make use of that learning to measure the difference you are making.
Our focus is on outcomes. But we do not promote just one single evaluation tool. We encourage different and creative ways to engage people in evaluation.
Navigating the evaluation pathway is one way of getting started or checking that you are progressing.
You can download a copy of the evaluation pathway below:
The Evaluation Pathway
Navigating the evaluation pathway is one way of getting started with your evaluation, or a good way of checking that you are progressing. This resource provides guidance to help you
Pathway Stages
At each stage of the Evaluation Pathway you can see the appropriate ESS workshop to help you get to grips with this stage, as well as guides, tools and other resources. If you are looking for specific resources take a look at our Resources pages.
Evaluation Pathway Stage 1
Setting outcomes & indicators
Our training, resources and support will help you to ensure that everyone is on board with your evaluation process. And you have clear statements about the outcomes of your project or organisation.
Setting outcomes & indicatorsEvaluation Pathway Stage 2
Collecting evidence
Helping you to find different ways to collect information about the difference you are making and fit evaluation into your project or organisation.
Collecting evidenceEvaluation Pathway Stage 3
Analysing & Reporting
Understanding your data and presenting it in a meaningful way.
Analysing & ReportingEvaluation Pathway Stage 4
Acting on your learning
Helping you to use your findings to communicate what you have learnt and change your practice.
Acting on your learningSee below for support to get started with evaluation but if you are looking for support for more tricky evaluation issues here are some pages and resources to help with particular situations.
Evaluating Prevention
Much of our work in the third sector is about preventing things from happening – but proving that is what we do can be tricky.
Involving users in evaluation
Over the last few years ESS has been supporting third sector organisations to involve people they work with in evaluation.
Evaluating Partnerships
This page explores how and why to evaluate partnerships along with some useful resources.
Asset-based approaches
If you need support evaluating your asset-based projects we have several guides to help.
Evaluating prevention resource
This guide shares learning from our work about how to evaluate prevention. We suggest approaches you can take and share examples from the third sector.
“It’s always helpful to return back to the evaluation pathway to check I’m on track.”
Page feedback
“I found all the sessions very illuminating and useful for my PhD research.”
Page Feedback