Evaluation
Evaluation
Evaluation (^)
Definition
Evaluation is assessing a situation through Indicators with a view to performing operations on and combination of variables.
Function
The aim of Evaluation is to assess if there is any gap between:
- a situation as it is
- a situation as it should be
The overcoming of this gap is the process of Problem Dealing.
The highlighting of this gap is achieved through the use of appropriate Indicators.
Indicators (^)
Definition
Indicators are the expression of:
- data/facts/concepts
- concerning situations/operations/combinations
- in relation to needs/values/norms
Function
The function of Indicators is to:
- highlight variables in a situation
- point to variables for operation/combination
- assess the acceptability/desirability of the (new) situation, operation, combination
Remark
According to the type of indicators or the area of intervention, Indicators are known as: social, economic, environmental, etc.
Classification
Indicators can be classified according to the function/s they are meant to perform, via the variable/s (= "it") examined, for example:
- Indicators of State
(how it is - where it is)
- Indicators of Process/Progress
(how and where it is - how and where it is moving to)
- Indicators of Target
(how and where it should be - how and where it should move to)
- Indicators of Performance
(how it has performed - how it is performing)
Remark
"It" refers to the variable/s under observation.
Evaluation : summing up (^)
Evaluation is ever present in all the phases of Problem Dealing.
If Evaluation cannot be done properly (for instance, because of lack of data) or it reveals a poor rating of the solution (at the stage either of proposal or of implementation), what is needed is to resort again to Documentation.