Process
Development
Indicators,
Measures, and Tools
There are two main levels of process development activities that
can be evaluated, 1) Efforts to improve the creation of a linkage and
2) Efforts to improve the functioning of an existing linkage. Each level
has indicators as outlined below.
I. Creating a New Linkage
- involves building a cohesive group with a common vision
and articulated plan. Building a firm foundation is essential as a new
linkage is created. The primary process components of doing this are:
1. Strategic Planning - A strategic planning process should include
the development of integrated goals, objectives, mission, vision, implementation
plan, etc., to provide potential group members with a clear picture of
what to expect from the community group.
Goal: A Strategic Planning process was used in creation of the community
linkage.
Indicator: A Mission and Vision Statement were written with entire group
input
Measure: Document review of meeting minutes
Tool: Example: Minutes of Meeting
Source: University of Wisconsin- Cooperative Extension (1998). Evaluating
Collaboratives: Reaching the Potential. pg. 100 Can be found at http://cf.uwex.edu/ces/pubs/pdf/G3658_8.PDF
Tool: Plan Quality Index
Source: Butterfoss, F.D., Goodman, R.M., Wandersman, A. Valois, R.F.,
& Chinman, M.J. (1996). The plan quality index: An empowerment evaluation
tool for measuring and improving the quality of plans. In D. Fettrman,
S. Kaftarian, and A. Wandersman (Eds.), Empowerment evaluation: Knowledge
and tools for self assessment and accountability. (Pp. 304-331). Newbury
Park, CA: Sage.
Tool: Internal Collaborative Functioning Scales
Source: University of Wisconsin- Cooperative Extension (1998). Evaluating
Collaboratives: Reaching the Potential. pg. 89 Can be found at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/pdande/Evaluation/evaluat.html
Indicator: Goals and objectives of the group are clearly articulated Measure:
Document review of meeting minutes
Tool: Example: Minutes of Meeting
Source: University of Wisconsin- Cooperative Extension (1998). Evaluating
Collaboratives: Reaching the Potential. pg. 100 Can be found at http://cf.uwex.edu/ces/pubs/pdf/G3658_8.PDF
Tool: Identify Goals and Desired Outcomes.
Source: Linney, J.A., & Wandersman, A. (1991). Prevention Plus III. US
Department of Health and Human Services. See also Linney, J.A. & Wandersman,
A. (1996). Empowering community groups with evaluation skills. The Prevention
Plus III Model. In Empowerment evaluation: Knowledge and tools for
self-assessment and accountability. (Pp. 259-276). Newbury Park, CA:
Sage.
Indicator: Problem Definition - the problem that will be the linkage's
focus is clearly defined and commonly agreed upon.
Tool: Plan Quality Index
Source: Butterfoss, F.D., Goodman, R.M., Wandersman, A. Valois, R.F.,
& Chinman, M.J. (1996). The plan quality index: An empowerment evaluation
tool for measuring and improving the quality of plans. In D. Fettrman,
S. Kaftarian, and A. Wandersman (Eds.), Empowerment evaluation: Knowledge
and tools for self-assessment and accountability. (Pp. 304-331). Newbury
Park, CA: Sage.
2. Key Stakeholders -Including multiple partners in group development,
program implementation, and evaluation processes will enable group members,
representing the concerns of all constituencies, to be at the table when
making group decisions.
Goal: Key Stakeholders are included in the linkage development process
and represent a broad cross section of all linkage or program stakeholders.
(See also CITIZEN PARTICIPATION)
Indicator: The extent to which citizens, including minority individuals,
participate in the community's actions
Measure: Survey or interview or Document review of membership rosters
including data on stakeholder population the member represents
Indicator: Change in stakeholder involvement
Measure: Survey, interview, or document review of membership rosters including
data on stakeholder population the member represents
Tool: Collaboration Structure.
Source: Winer, M., & Ray, K. (1994). Collaboration Handbook: Creating,
Sustaining and Enjoying the Journey. St. Paul, MN: Amherst H. Wilder
Foundation.
Tool: Network Analysis Questionnaire Source: Linney & Wandersman (1991).
Prevention Plus III. US Department of Health and Human Services.
pg. 413
Tool: Change Agent Diversity Worksheet Source: White, Lynn (1998) Collaboration:
Tools, techniques, and processes for success. NNCO.
Tool: Diversity Awareness Continuum Source: NNCO, Adapted from The managing
diversity survival guide: A complete collection of Checklists, Activities,
and Tips. by L. Gardenswartz & A. Rowe (1994)
Tool: Ecomap
Source: Perkins, D. & Borden, L. (1998). Collaboration Framework & Interactive
Training Package. National Network for Collaboration.
3. Community Building - Developing community cohesion and mobilizing
citizens will provide a supportive context for community organizing and
programming.
Goal: A community development process is utilized. "Community development
is the process of mobilizing communities to address important issues and
build upon the strengths of the community."
Indicator: Mobilization - The linkage resulted in an increase in mobilization
of community members. (See also Citizen Participation)
Tool: Asset Mapping: Mobilizing an entire community (assessing type, quality
and availability of assets) Source: Kretzmann and Mcknight (1993). Building
Communities from the Inside Out. Chicago: ACTA Publications. pg. 345-354.
Indicator: Community Cohesion - The linkage resulted in an increase in
the participant's sense of community, sense of strength in unity, or positive
perceptions of their community. Measure: Interview or survey
Tool: Sense of Community Scale Source: Linney & Wandersman (1991). Prevention
Plus III. US Department of Health and Human Services. pg. 411
4. Link to Research Base - Developing programs based on what we
know to work will enable community groups to implement effective community
programs, thus saving valuable resources from being used on ineffective
programs.
Goal: All community linkage efforts will be guided by knowledge of the
existing research such that local citizens benefit from the current research
in the field.
Indicator: Community Linkage efforts will show a direct link to the research
base.
Measure: Document review of written proposals, linkage problem statements,
or supporting literature reviews.
5. Community assessment -Developing programming through knowledge
of community needs and assets, tailored to meet community identified issues,
will ensure that the community group is acting in a manner to benefit
the community.
Goal: The community linkage will change to more accurately reflect the
concerns of the key stakeholders. This reflection will be built upon a
community assessment that utilizes community resources such as community
demographic data, asset mapping (assessing type, quality and availability
of assets) and contextual factors such as local cultural and political
climate.
Indicator: The extent to which local decision-making bodies consult with
community and regional data before making decisions.
Measure: Review minutes, survey, and interview for evidence of use of
data most relevant to community goal.
Tool: Needs Assessment Index.
Source: Butterfoss, F.D., Goodman, R.M., Wandersman, A. Valois, R.F.,
& Chinman, M.J. (1996). The plan quality index: An empowerment evaluation
tool for measuring and improving the quality of plans. In D. Fetterman,
S. Kaftarian, and A. Wandersman (Eds.), Empowerment evaluation: Knowledge
and tools for self-assessment and accountability. (Pp. 304-331). Newbury
Park, CA: Sage
Tool: Asset Mapping: Mobilizing an entire community (assessing type, quality
and availability of assets) Source: Kretzman and Mcknight (1993). Building
Communities from the Inside Out. Chicago: ACTA Publications. pg. 345-354.
Tool: Spiderweb Analysis Source: Perkins, D. & Borden, L. (1998). Collaboration
Framework & Interactive Training Package. National Network for Collaboration.
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