Institutional Learning and Change Initiative

The following text is drawn from Taylor-Powell et al  (1998).

Group assessment

Group assessment has built-in potential for evaluating collaboratives as most of the work of collaboratives is done in groups. Group assessment techniques use a group format for various purposes. Group assessment may be used at any phase of collaborative development to identify evaluation needs and question, to prioritize them, to share evaluation information within the group, to document outcomes, and to monitor and/or process feelings within the collaborative. Though varieties of group techniques abound we describe a few variations which may be useful in evaluating collaboratives.

• Brainstorming: common tool for groups to creatively generate ideas
• Nominal Group: popular problem-solving or idea-generating strategy for achieving consensus. Group members are asked to write their ideas down instead of expressing them verbally.
• Buzz Session: simply break down a large group (10-15) into smaller units (3-5) for foused discussion. Some people have trouble participating in large group discussions or meetings
• Fishbowls: refers to a smaller sub group which is discussing among itself while the larger group or another group affected by the issue at hand looks on. This technique can be used to share information between collaborative members or between a designated committee within the collaborative to other members. It could also be used for external communication if stakeholders are invited to a collaborative meeting to observe

Source: Taylor-Powell, E., B. Rossing, et al. (1998). Evaluating Collaboratives: Reaching the potential. Program Development and Evaluation. Madison, Wisconsin: University of Wisconsin-Extension: 190. http://learningstore.uwex.edu/pdf/G3658-8.PDF

References:

Guijt, I. and J. Woodhill (2002). Managing for Impact in Rural Development : A guide for project M & E. Rome, Italy: International Fund for Agricultural Development http://www.ifad.org/evaluation/guide/index.htm