Evaluate and review SCforH initiatives
- It involves investments of time, effort, and money– evaluating and reviewing your work will help you determine your Return on Investment (ROI).
- It allows for achievements and innovations to be recognised and rewarded.
- It offers greater accountability for your effort.
- It helps you secure feedback from all levels (two-way communication).
- It provides valuable information that you can use to gain publicity, investment, etc.
- Conduct evaluation as a continuous process.
- Identify Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) to set benchmarks for future growth.
- Ensure that SCforH initiatives meet the purpose/serve the needs, by using evaluation tools.
- Submit your findings to shape future SCforH developments.
- Seek feedback from people at all levels (e.g. association, member clubs, participants, partners).
In established organisations, the appraisal of new initiatives and reforms may be viewed with scepticism. However, the failure to do so will make this task all the more challenging. By carefully documenting all elements of the implementation – including (among others) the weaknesses and failures – you can provide critical information at every stage. This material will enhance all internal and external communication, progress updates, and the overall final report of the programme. In addition, such tools and materials are indispensable when adapting and reviewing the programme to adapt to changing conditions within each association or even at the individual club level.
The experiences gained and well-directed observations collected throughout the delivery of SCforH initiatives, supported by regular feedback obtained through the use of objective evaluation tools, should provide the basis for the continuous adaptation and evolution of the approach. While this flexibility is essential in all modern sports clubs, those responsible for the implementation of SCforH initiative at the association level must remain well-informed about any alterations, to ensure that lessons are learned and shared.
To adapt to larger changes (e.g. in the budget plan, cooperation with sponsors or external partners, or revising certain strategic goals), you might need to obtain approval at board level. However, such changes also need to be communicated to members throughout your whole organisation, including at the club level.
Lessons learned from successful evaluation procedures:
- Have a clear procedure in place from the outset to ensure that evaluation material is properly constructed, easily understood, and collected, stored, and analysed appropriately.
- Make the impact of the SCforH approach comprehensible and as measurable as possible. ensure that all stakeholders involved in the implementation of the SCforH approach send in regular reports. To encourage this, provide them structured forms (e.g. questionnaires, structured report forms).
- Discuss the evaluation results with respondents and stakeholders.
- Determine outcome indicators (possible measures) for all fields of actions in the implementation of the approach (see examples provided below).
- Well-directed (both quantitative and qualitative) observations and interviews by the project management will support the evolution procedure.
- If feasible, consider carrying out an audit with help from an external expert.
- Share evaluation reports regularly with members of your association.