Managing Expectations or Foundations of Empowerment Evaluation

Managing Expectations: Working with People Who Want More, Better, Faster, Sooner, Now!

Author: Naomi Karten

People have expectations. Your clients, for example. Sometimes their expectations of you seem unreasonable. But sometimes your expectations of them seem just as unreasonable (in their eyes).

The problem is that these mismatched expectations can lead to misunderstandings, frayed nerves, and ruffled feathers. More seriously, they often lead to flawed systems, failed projects, and a drain on resources.

Yet how often do you openly acknowledge these differences in expectations and take steps to better manage them? And how often are you a victim of your own expectations of yourself?

Expectations are difficult to control and impossible to turn off. Naomi Karten offers concrete ways to manage them, and in the process, to dramatically improve the effectiveness of your services.

Booknews

The author is a speaker and seminar leader with experience in technical and customer support and management, and with a background in psychology. She interweaves anecdotes with spelled-out guidelines on such topics as guarding against conflicting messages, keeping jargon to a minimum, listening persuasively, gathering information, and understanding the customer's context. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

See also: Beautiful Bowl of Soup or Radical Brewing

Foundations of Empowerment Evaluation

Author: David M Fetterman

"This timely addition to a new genre of evaluation methodology eschews the objectivity of an external evaluation in favor of internal value-driven assessments that advance the goal of self-improvement through self-determination. Fetterman offers down-to-earth, clearly written descriptions and explanations of an approach that reconciles the contingencies of organizational practice with the standards and principles of evaluation accountability. He adroitly bridges the gap between the subjectivity of self-evaluation and the objectivity of external evaluation by showing with case examples and detailed methods, forms, and narrative why empowerment evaluation extends the reach of standard evaluation practice."

--Dennis Mithaug, Teacher's College, Columbia University

What is empowerment evaluation? When is it the most appropriate approach to use in an evaluation? How can it best be implemented? Aimed at demystifying empowerment evaluation, the book shows readers when to use this form of evaluation and how to more effectively use its three steps (developing a mission statement; taking stock by identifying and prioritizing the most significant program activities; and, charting a course for future strategies to accomplish program goals). Fetterman also illustrates the steps with four case examples, ranging from hospital to educational settings. In addition, he covers: how to use empowerment evaluation to meet the standards developed by the Joint Committee on Standards for Educational Evaluation; the caveats and concerns about the use of empowerment evaluation; the relationship between collaborative, participatory, stakeholder, and utilization-focused evaluationwith empowerment evaluation; the role of the Internet in disseminating empowerment evaluation; and, an analysis of the strengths, weaknesses, and conditions of empowerment evaluation. This book will guide evaluators exploration of their roles as coaches, facilitators and advocates as well as enable them to more effectively use this innovative evaluation technique.

Booknews

Shows readers when to use empowerment evaluation and how to use it more effectively. Illustrates the three steps of empowerment evaluation with four case examples in hospital and educational settings. Discusses concerns about the use of empowerment evaluation, the relationship between this type and other types of evaluation, the role of the Internet in disseminating empowerment evaluation, and strengths and weaknesses of the method. The author directs the MA Policy Analysis and Evaluation Program in the School of Education at Stanford University. Annotation c. Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Table of Contents:

Introduction
Introducing Empowerment Evaluation as Part of the Intellectual Landscape of Evaluation
Background and Theory
Exploring the Background and Theory of Empowerment Evaluation with Relevant Examples and Tools
Three Steps
Presenting the Three Steps of Empowerment Evaluation and Related Facets
Four Case Examples
Highlighting the Steps of Empowerment Evaluation with Four Case Examples
A High Stakes Case Example
Documenting the Utility, Credibility, and Rigor of Empowerment Evaluation in a High-Stakes Arena-Accreditation
The Standards
Applying the Standards to Empowerment Evaluation
Caveats
Discussing Caveats and Concerns About Empowerment Evaluation
A Dialogue
Distinguishing Empowerment Evaluation From Other Approaches
The World Wide Web
Using the Internet as a Tool to Disseminate Empowerment Evaluation Worldwide
Conclusion
Concluding by Speaking One's Truth About the Strengths, Limitations, and Conditions of Empowerment Evaluation