Dimensions of performance
Up one levelWhat aspects (dimensions of performance) of your project do you want to evaluate?
In practical, if not in strictly theoretical, terms it is not possible to evaluate every aspect of a project. This implies a conscious selection process.It is useful to invest time in generating a list of all the possible dimensions of the project, which it could be useful to evaluate, before making a decision. What is selected out at this stage is as important as what is selected in.
Once the “possible” list has been produced, the following questions may help the selection process.
Are the processes of the project to be evaluated as well as the products?
Will those dimensions ‘selected in’ provide useable and useful input in the future? That is, are you satisfied that the potential for change exists? There is little point evaluating the effects of something that is unchangeable at any level.
Who are the people at which the evaluation products are targeted? Do these people have the ability to effect change in the areas you have selected for evaluation?
Can the list be prioritised or weighted?
Are the dimensions that have been ‘selected in’ feasible to evaluate in terms of resourcing, pragmatics and the timescale allowed?
As each project will be different, it is impossible to produce a useful common list but the following ideas, whilst not in any way comprehensive, may help you start. (NB. Not in any priority or order).
Processes
- Internal communication
- External communication
- Administration
- Finance
- Management Information
- Knowledge development and management
- Industrial relations
- Decision making
- Health and Safety
- Delegation
- Staff development
- Performance appraisal
- Recruitment and selection
- Reviewing
- Strategic planning
- Dissemination
- Public relations
- Legal and audit
- Policy making
- Handling meetings
- Recording and reporting
- Mentoring and coaching
- Line management
- Transnationality
Products
- conferences, seminars
- training, workshops
- publications, articles, papers
- publicity material
- new services
- trained people
- websites and other computer- based items
- policy recommendations
- studies / audits
- facilities (e.g. buildings)
- strategies, action plans
- networks
- goods / artefacts
- handbooks / manuals / guidelines
- qualifications
- money
- case studies
- structural changes
- new systems / procedures
- new partnerships
- technology
- visits
There are also some general questions, which are not to determine what is included in the final selection but are more about the process of selection.
- Has everyone who needs to be consulted about or involved in the selection process been included?
- Do the people involved have a shared understanding and a clear definition of what is included in the dimensions of performance to be evaluated?
- Is there a mechanism for changing or modifying the list if necessary?
- Are there cut off points for these changes to take place?
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