open · Strategy · 60–120 min · 3-15 people · medium energy

Developing Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs)

This method guides teams in formulating Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs) to focus evaluation efforts and ensure relevance. It helps align evaluation activities with program goals and stakeholder needs, leading to more useful and actionable findings.

When to use Developing Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs)

Use this method at the beginning of an evaluation planning process to define the scope and focus of the evaluation, ensuring that the evaluation addresses the most important aspects of the program or intervention.

What it solves

Unclear evaluation focus, lack of stakeholder alignment on evaluation priorities, collection of irrelevant data.

How to run Developing Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs), step by step

  1. Identify stakeholders and their interests (15 min).
  2. Brainstorm potential evaluation questions based on program goals, intended uses, and evaluative criteria (30 min).
  3. Review and refine the questions, ensuring they are relevant, useful, and feasible to answer (30 min).
  4. Prioritize the questions, selecting the 5-7 most important KEQs (30 min).
  5. Document the agreed-upon KEQs and share them with all stakeholders (15 min).

Materials needed

  • Whiteboard or flip chart
  • Markers
  • Sticky notes (optional)
  • Shared document or online whiteboard tool (for hybrid settings)

Facilitator tips

  • Encourage diverse perspectives during brainstorming.
  • Help the group balance the breadth and depth of the questions.
  • Ensure the questions are specific enough to guide data collection but broad enough to allow for flexibility.

Common pitfalls

  • Generating too many questions, making it difficult to prioritize.
  • Failing to involve key stakeholders in the process.
  • Formulating questions that are too broad or vague to be useful.

Variations

  • Use a voting system to prioritize questions.
  • Categorize questions by type (process, outcome, economic).
  • Develop more specific sub-questions under each KEQ.

Running it online or hybrid

Use a shared document or whiteboard tool for collaborative brainstorming and prioritization of questions.

What it produces

A prioritized list of 5-7 Key Evaluation Questions (KEQs) agreed upon by stakeholders.

Origin

Adapted from the New South Wales Government, Department of Premier and Cabinet Evaluation Toolkit, with contributions from BetterEvaluation. — source

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