To demonstrate early results, it may be necessary to provide interim reports or other products. Ideally, evaluation will be integrated into projects throughout their life, including design of measurable goals at the beginning, periodic data collection and analysis of results. It may be possible to make extensive use of existing sources, particularly if broad partnerships are formed for the project. Depending on local circumstance and project objectives, evaluations could be quantitative or qualitative. Focus groups or interviews may be particularly useful for process evaluations.
Objectivity is critical if evaluations are to be successful.
In addition to successes, it may be equally valuable to document problems and barriers encountered and overcome so that others can learn from all experiences. Goals were to maintain the economic viability of rural communities and minimize disruption of agricultural lands either through upgrading existing roadways or expanding on a new right of way. Evaluation included use of business inventories, economic indicators, and economic modeling. Transit Oriented Design strategies to encourage development around transit stations. The project considered zoning regulations and incentives, involvement of non-tradition partners, including developers.