Evaluation and Value for Money (VfM)

This workshop provides practical guidance, underpinned by a sound theoretical framework, for evaluating VfM. It focuses on unpacking a process of explicit evaluative reasoning (using
rubrics) and the use of mixed methods (qualitative, quantitative, and economic).

Course Summary

It is important for good resource allocation, accountability, learning and improvement that policies, programs and other initiatives undergo rigorous evaluations of value for money (VfM). Many evaluators, however, lack training and experience in this area.

This workshop offers a set of techniques to address that gap. Combining strengths of evaluation and economics, the approach builds on theory and practice that will already be familiar to many evaluators, though there are also evaluators and commissioners to whom these techniques may be new.

Audience

The training is designed for evaluation commissioners, researchers, evaluators, and monitoring, evaluation and learning specialists of all levels from novice to expert. The training is suitable for those who want to learn about rubrics generally, as well as those who want to learn how to apply rubrics to value for money specifically.

Learning Outcomes

Participants will learn how to:

Frame an evaluative question about VfM
Develop rubrics, comprising criteria (aspects of performance) and standards (levels of performance), to provide a transparent basis for making sound judgements about VfM
Combine multiple sources of evidence to support nuanced evaluative judgements
Incorporate economic evaluation within a VfM framework, where feasible and appropriate
Interpret the evidence, using criteria and standards, to make sound evaluative judgements
Present a clear and robust performance story, guided by the criteria and standards.

Trainers

Julian King specialises in evaluation and value for money. Julian’s PhD research developed the Value for Investment system that will be shared in this workshop (www.julianking.co.nz/vfi/). Julian received the 2021 Australian Evaluation Society Evaluation Systems Award, recognising the widespread adoption and use of the approach. Julian has delivered workshops on this approach for evaluation societies and private sector organisations in Australia, New Zealand, Europe, USA, Africa, Asia, and to UKES (with Alex Hurrell, in 2018).

Alex Hurrell is Head of Evaluation at Verian (formerly known as Kantar Public UK). He has over 15 years’ experience in designing and leading large-scale and complex evaluations, with specific specialist expertise in theory-based evaluation, quantitative impact evaluation and VFM assessment. He was previously the Director of OPM’s Social Policy and Statistics & Evidence Programmes, and prior to that led OPM’s Monitoring and Evaluation team.

Daniel Wate specialises in the management of large and complex international programmes. He has ten years of experience developing VfM frameworks and conducting VfM assessments for programmes and organisations. He was previously Co-Lead of the Oxford Policy Management’s VfM Technical Community of Practice and is currently Assistant Director of Programmes at Options Consultancy providing oversight of global programmes including supporting teams to deliver VfM. He is particularly interested in how VfM approaches can generate and apply learning to improve the performance of project and programme delivery.

Access Details:

This course is offered fully online. Access details will be provided after the booking window closes on 6th February at 1000 GMT.

If you have any alternative support needs in order to effectively participate in this training, please let us know as before booking or as soon as possible after booking by emailing our team on hello@evaluation.org.uk . We look forward to assisting you in whatever way we can.

Refunds/Cancellations:

Refunds will only be provided for participant cancellations received at least 14 days prior to the event. UKES reserves the right to cancel the event, in which case a full refund would be provided.

Fees

Non-Members £300 + VAT *
Members £250 + VAT *
Student Members* £200 + VAT

Bookings close at 1000 GMT on 6th February.

*Student bursaries available for full-time students at UK institutions. Apply here: https://www.evaluation.org.uk/student-bursaries-for-ukes-training-courses/