Negotiating and Planning an Evaluation: An Example from a Youth Services Work for the Dole Program Activity

Abstract

This article describes the negotiating and planning of an evaluation proposal for a client, a job network agency situated in Northern New South Wales. The evaluand is a training-based Work for the Dole program activity targeted at unemployed youth and overseen by a not-for-profit community organisation.

The article begins by examining the social, political and historical context in which the Work for the Dole program is embedded, and considers the potential impact of context on the evaluation process and utilisation of the results. The evaluation proposal itself covers negotiation, ethical issues, key evaluation questions and methodology. The last section of the article provides a critical review of the proposed plan and discusses potential process issues.

Throughout, it is emphasised that developing an understanding of the competing values of the many stakeholders involved is fundamental to successful negotiation and planning with all those involved in the evaluation process.