Determining the target population and required staffing and funding streams are key working components of the activity. See definitions of summative evaluation below. Evaluation should begin before the activities are defined. Realistically, evaluation should start prior to the creation of the mission of the organization. Evaluation is not a single event, it is a developmental process.
Evaluation is a system by which management processes and procedures improved.
An evaluation system should ask questions, collect data to answer questions and make decisions based on the answers. Evaluation is a working part of the organization. Evaluation collaborates with all members of the organization. Effective evaluation is not exclusive, rather it partners with board members, program staff, activity recipients, advisory committee members and others. Effective collaboration provides continuous feedback, both horizontal and vertical.