Why Evaluate? How to Evaluate?

By Ilza Martins Santanna

Introduction

In today's fast-paced and ever-changing world, evaluation has become an essential tool for organizations and individuals alike. Whether you're a business owner, a nonprofit leader, or simply someone looking to improve your own performance, evaluation can help you make informed decisions, track progress, and achieve your goals.

In her book, "Why Evaluate? How to Evaluate?", Ilza Martins Santanna provides a comprehensive and practical guide to the world of evaluation. Drawing on her extensive experience as an evaluator, Santanna offers a wealth of insights and strategies for conducting effective evaluations.

Why Evaluate?

The first part of the book explores the importance of evaluation and its role in decision-making. Santanna argues that evaluation is not just about measuring results, but also about understanding the processes and contexts that lead to those results. By understanding the "why" behind the "what," organizations can make better decisions and improve their overall performance.

How to Evaluate?

The second part of the book provides a step-by-step guide to conducting an evaluation. Santanna covers everything from defining the purpose of the evaluation to selecting the appropriate methods and analyzing the data. She also discusses the importance of involving stakeholders in the evaluation process and using the results to make informed decisions.

Benefits of Evaluation

Evaluation can provide a number of benefits for organizations and individuals, including:

• Improved decision-making: Evaluation can help you make informed decisions by providing you with data and evidence to support your choices.
• Increased accountability: Evaluation can help you hold yourself and others accountable for achieving results.
• Enhanced learning: Evaluation can help you learn from your successes and failures and make improvements to your programs and practices.
• Greater transparency: Evaluation can help you build trust with stakeholders by demonstrating your commitment to transparency and accountability.

Conclusion

"Why Evaluate? How to Evaluate?" is an essential resource for anyone who wants to improve their evaluation skills. Santanna's clear and concise writing style makes the book easy to understand, even for those who are new to the field of evaluation. Whether you're a seasoned evaluator or just starting out, this book will provide you with the tools and knowledge you need to conduct effective evaluations and make informed decisions.

Call to Action

If you're ready to learn more about evaluation and how it can benefit your organization or yourself, I encourage you to purchase a copy of "Why Evaluate? How to Evaluate?" today. You won't be disappointed.