Evaluation governance groups

The Evaluation Strategy 2010-2014: Strengthening our commitment to performance improvement provides for evaluation governance groups (EGG) to be convened for each evaluation. During the planning phase of an evaluation it is important to establish effective governance (new window) 253k that will guide the evaluation. The EGG assists with the shape of the evaluation's design and implementation. It is also responsible for endorsement of the evaluation proposal, Program Logic model and final report.

Representation on an EGG will depend on the type of project or program being evaluated and the types of decisions required. The members of the EGG ideally will comprise of a good mix of people with expertise to direct and have input into decision making during the evaluation.

The group should include:

members from the project or program team with deep understanding of what the project or program intends to do and achieve
members from the evaluation team who will manage, design and/or conduct the evaluation
key stakeholders well positioned to shape the design and implementation of the evaluation, furnish strategic advice on any emergent issues which may impact on the evaluation, and help transfer knowledge into other settings
members with specific expertise relevant to the needs of the evaluation such as evaluation designs or frameworks, qualitative or quantitative methodology, ethics, key performance indicators, stakeholder engagement or skill in dealing with diverse student populations
a member from the Governance, Strategy and Planning Branch to help ensure the evaluation proceeds in alignment with the department's Evaluation Strategy.

In forming an EGG, roles and responsibilities are outlined in the group's Terms of Reference (new window) 895k . In this regard, the EGG may be required to:

assume responsibility for the project or program's feasibility, business plan and achievement of outcomes
ensure the project or program's scope aligns with the requirements of the stakeholder groups
provide those directly involved with guidance on the project or program's business issues
ensure effort and expenditure are appropriate to stakeholder expectations
address any issue that has major implications for the project or program
manage the project or program's scope as emergent issues force changes to be considered
provide advice on emergent issues impacting on the evaluation
reconcile differences in opinion and approach, and resolve disputes arising from them
report on the program or project's progress to those responsible at a high level, such as Cabinet
assume responsibility for any whole-of-Government issues associated with the project or program
provide strategic advice and guidance around the evaluation proposal, implementation of the evaluation and reporting on the evaluation findings

It is also helpful to set a timetable or schedule at the inaugural meeting of the EGG allowing members to set aside meeting times well ahead. A minimum of three meetings is required which includes:

endorsement of EGG Terms of Reference, feedback and endorsement of evaluation proposal and Program Logic model
feedback on draft report
endorsement of final report.

However, extra meetings may be required to report on progress against a number of milestones since the last meeting or to resolve issues impacting on the evaluation.

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