Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) is a decision-making framework and process for enhancing the utility and actual use of evaluations by primary intended users. There are 12 steps in the UFE framework including identifying intended users and uses, situational analysis, evaluation design, and facilitating use. The effectiveness of UFE is judged based on the actual use of evaluation findings by intended users.
Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) is a decision-making framework and process for enhancing the utility and actual use of evaluations by primary intended users. There are 12 steps in the UFE framework including identifying intended users and uses, situational analysis, evaluation design, and facilitating use. The effectiveness of UFE is judged based on the actual use of evaluation findings by intended users.
Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) is a decision-making framework and process for enhancing the utility and actual use of evaluations by primary intended users. There are 12 steps in the UFE framework including identifying intended users and uses, situational analysis, evaluation design, and facilitating use. The effectiveness of UFE is judged based on the actual use of evaluation findings by intended users.
Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE) is a decision-making framework and process for enhancing the utility and actual use of evaluations by primary intended users. There are 12 steps in the UFE framework including identifying intended users and uses, situational analysis, evaluation design, and facilitating use. The effectiveness of UFE is judged based on the actual use of evaluation findings by intended users.
CED Utilization-Focused Evaluation is •a decision-making framework for enhancing the utility and actual use of evaluations. (Patton, 2008).
•a process for helping Primary Intended Users (PIUs) select the most appropriate content, model, methods, and uses for their particular situation. Intended users are the specifically identified people who will use the evaluation findings;While, The primary intended users are those particular individuals or groups who are affected by the outcome of the evaluation, are in a position to make decisions about the evaluation, and intend to use the evaluation process or findings to inforn their decisions or actions.
-a process for developing an evaluation study in collaboration and negotiation with a targeted group of priority user, selected from a wider set of stakeholder, to focus on and effectively serve useful outcomes for the intended users of the evaluation. \ -an approach based on the principle that an evaluation should be judged on its usefulness to its intended users. -Therefore, evaluations should be planned and conducted in ways that enhance the likely utilization of both the findings and of the process itself to inform decisions and improve performance.
There are 12 Steps Utilization-Focused Evaluation Framework , Patton has emphasized in his most recent book Essentials of Utilization-Focused Evaluation (2012)
Assessing Program Readiness This process requires active and skilled guidance from an evaluator to facilitate a step-by-step process. It started with a readiness assessment and a definition of primary intended users and uses. 2. Assessing Evaluators’ Readiness Facilitating and conducting UFE requires that both managers and evaluators review their skills and willingness to collaborate. In the end, the effectiveness of the UFE will be judged on the basis of actual evaluation use. 3. Identifying Primary Intended User Primary intended user have a direct, identifiable stake in the evaluation and its use. They are required to be engaged with the evaluation on an ongoing basis during the entire process. The Evaluator assesses who the primary intended users are, and their objectives and needs. It is important to establish a climate of participation with primary intended users from the start.
4. Situational Analysis Evaluation use is people and context depend.
Use will be enhanced when the evaluation take into account situational factors. The evaluation experiences resources available for, and priority given to the evaluation, its relationship to overall organizational development, and if key issues are being faced. 5. Identification of Primary Intended Uses Since intended use by primary intended users is the goal of UFE – these are identified at the outset, and will guide the evaluation questions and methods. It is possible that these uses could include a combination of process and finding uses. 6. Focusing the Evaluation The focus follow the intended uses of the evaluation by the primary intended uses. It involves constructing a set of manageable key evaluation questions (KEQs) for the evaluation. As with research, fine-tuning key evaluation questions is generally hard than expected, and the exchange with primary intended uses on this topic is pillar of UFE. 7. Evaluation Design the selection of method is based on data needed to respond to the key evaluation questions. The evaluator ensures that the method will yield findings that respond to the intended uses and the intended user(s).
8. Simulation of Use Before data are collected, a simulation of potential use is done with fabricated findings to verity that the expected data will lead to useable findings by primary intended uses. In many cases, the KEQs and methods are modified at this stage. 9. Data Collection Managed with use in mind. It is important to keep the primary intended users informed and involved throughout all stages of the process. 10. Data Analysis done in consultation with the primary intended users. This involvement increases their understanding of the findings and adds to the sense of ownership and commitment to utilization.
11. Facilitation of Use Facilitating use – this activity includes drawing connections with evaluation findings and the original uses (or purposes of the evaluation), prioritizing among recommendations, as well as developing the dissemination strategy for the evaluation to facilitate use. This step is central to UFE as it requires that time and resources are allocated to facilitating use throughout the process from the beginning. 12. Meta Evaluation UFEs are evaluated by whether primary intended uses used the evaluation in the intended ways. This step tells the story about how the UFE process evolved and allows the users and the evaluator to learn from their own experience.
FOUR benefit of the UFE should be bring to the commissioner of evaluation:
First, the choice of evaluation approach, methodology, and design must fit the specific purpose and context. Second, UFE requires deep thinking about the context in which the evaluation is occurring as well as the key evaluation questions and appropriate methods.
Third, determining who the user(s) of an evaluation are is an important power- and value-laden exercise with implications that ripple throughout the whole evaluation process. Fourth, evaluation use does not occur naturally or without effort. It requires intentionality and careful attention and reaction to emergence. It needs committed participants and skilled evaluators.
Limitation of the Utilization-Focused Evaluation Following the limitation of the utilization focused evaluation: 1.Turnover of involved uses 2.Hard to see if UFE meet Joint Committee’s Standards 3.Vulnerable to bias and Corruption by the Users’ group 4.Impossible to have users’ group commitment 5.UFE Evaluator insist on compliance with Standards
