This guide aims to support NSW Health staff in planning and managing program evaluations. It promotes a proactive, planned and structured approach to planning and managing evaluations, including information on when and how to evaluate a program and how to make the most of the results.
The guide draws on the principles and processes described in the Treasury Evaluation Policy and Guidelines, but it is framed specifically in relation to the health context, and it outlines the steps that should be taken when engaging an independent evaluator. It may be used to assist NSW Health staff in developing a complete evaluation plan, or in drafting an evaluation plan to which an evaluator can add value. The principles and proposed steps are also relevant for policy staff undertaking evaluations of their own programs.