ABSTRACT
The starting point for measurement is during the planning process, and the data collected needs to be applied to continuous improvement whilst a project or programme is in operation. Traditional evaluation approaches usually start after the activity is well underway. The authors' active evaluation approach sets clear objectives, collects data throughout, reports and applies its lessons. The author's disciplined and logical approach can produce robust outcome data even for the most complex activities. Clearly, it is essential to take human capital-intensive activities very seriously, and to accept the importance of undertaking much more measurement of their effectiveness than is currently done. People need to apply both summative and formative evaluation approaches. Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) are used in healthcare drug trials, and they are increasingly used in the evaluation of public policy. Reasonable accuracy is an important qualification. By this we mean a level of accuracy acceptable to all concerned.
