Stakeholder Engagement & Communication Flashcards

Which scenario BEST illustrates 'stakeholder engagement' rather than mere 'stakeholder notification'?

Answer: Inviting stakeholders to participate in interpreting evaluation data and co-developing recommendations

Genuine engagement involves stakeholders actively participating in interpretation and decision-making, not passively receiving completed findings.

When an evaluator identifies an ethical concern raised by a stakeholder during data collection, what is the MOST appropriate action?

Answer: Pause, investigate the concern, and consult ethics guidelines before proceeding

Ethical concerns require the evaluator to pause and investigate, consulting relevant professional standards before proceeding.

A logic model is shared with stakeholders at the start of a program evaluation. What is the PRIMARY communication purpose of this activity?

Answer: To build shared understanding of program theory and align expectations about what will be evaluated

Sharing the logic model builds shared understanding of program theory and surfaces disagreements about intended outcomes before evaluation begins.

What is the MOST significant risk when an evaluator becomes overly aligned with program staff perspectives?

Answer: Evaluator independence may be compromised, leading to biased findings

Over-alignment with program staff threatens evaluator independence and can lead to findings that reflect staff preferences rather than objective evidence.

Which evaluation communication product is BEST suited for policymakers who need quick, decision-relevant information?

Answer: Two-page policy brief with key findings and actionable recommendations

Policy briefs distill findings into concise, decision-focused formats that match the time constraints and information needs of policymakers.

An evaluator completes a study and learns that program leadership plans to selectively release only positive findings. What is the evaluator's BEST course of action?

Answer: Clarify reporting obligations established in the evaluation agreement and advocate for complete dissemination

Evaluators should reference contractual reporting obligations and professional standards to advocate for full, accurate dissemination of findings.

In which situation is a 'communication plan' MOST critical to develop at the start of a program evaluation?

Answer: When multiple stakeholder groups have different information needs, languages, or literacy levels

A communication plan is most critical when diverse stakeholder groups require tailored messaging, formats, and timelines to ensure all parties receive usable information.