Sometimes these evaluations were technically adequate and fair and sometimes they were not. Today, the focus has shifted to formative evaluations for the purpose of helping to improve programs and components within programs. There is also more recognition of the complexity of program delivery and what constitutes success, so that more sources of information and more points of view are considered in the evaluation process. Evaluators can legitimately emphasize help and assistance to programs, while still contributing to program accountability. So today, evaluation has tremendous potential for helping us to make positive changes in our own lives and in the lives of our programs and organizations.
Evaluation is necessary to the accountability of programs for which the public clamors.
It is also necessary to the understanding that must be developed for us to learn why something works, so that we may continue to improve. A better understanding of the importance, roles, strengths, and limitations of evaluation methods on the part of program sponsors, planners, providers, and participants will help evaluators to deliver on the promise of evaluation.