Triennial Evaluation Plan 2007-2010

Appendix A: Department of Justice Program Evaluation Policy

Program Evaluation Process

Stage 1: Planning Stage
The planning stage consists of developing plans for the approach to the evaluation of existing, new or substantially altered programs or policies. The planning stage involves intensive consultations with program managers, clients and other interested stakeholders. It is important that this be done at the beginning of a new program or policy or as early on as possible in the development of a program or policy to ensure that the objectives are stated in a manner that allows for the ready identification of performance indicators and the systematic collection of performance information required for organizational learning and management decision-making. As part of the planning stage, evaluation undertakes an analysis of available data to determine the degree to which a range of issues can be addressed using existing data as well as the need for the collection of new data elements. The planning stage culminates in the production of a Results-based Management and Accountability Framework (RMAF) document (or an evaluation framework, assessment framework or evaluation workplan).

Stage 2 : Data Gathering and Analysis
The data gathering and analysis stage involves the actual fieldwork for the completion of the evaluation project as well as the analysis of the findings from the various sources, including the monitoring of ongoing performance measures. For more complex projects , the data gathering and analysis stage may extend over more than one fiscal year.

Stage 3 : Reporting Stage
The reporting stage consists of reporting evaluation findings to the Deputy Minister, departmental managers, central agencies, Parliament and ultimately the public.

Stage 4 : Follow-up
Follow-up activities involve the formulation of recommendations for changes where warranted in terms of any of the four areas listed above. The Program area being evaluated is required to prepare a management response. The Evaluation Division is available to assist program managers to formulate action plans as part of their management response to ameliorate any outstanding issues based on evaluation findings. This follow-up evaluation service can also include assistance in monitoring the implementation of the action plan.