How to Measure the Success of Social Programs
- 1). Access the annual report for the program being evaluated. The annual report for a program serving the public is often made available to the public and will include information such as sources of funding for the program and general expenses. Sources of funding may include government grants, private donations, fund raising and other support. Expenses often include salaries for staff and the board of directors or management, rent and utilities for the program's location, and office supplies.
- 2). Create a survey or questionnaire to assess general program satisfaction. The questionnaire or survey should only be given to those involved with the program directly or indirectly, such as members of the population the program serves, professionals who work with the population the program serves and loved ones or caregivers of those served by the program. Questions can be on a one to 10 scale, seeking information regarding reasons for coming to the program, whether the needs of the survey taker were met by the program, overall satisfaction from services provided by the program and other qualitative questions that may be answered with a numerical value.
- 3). Offer the survey or questionnaire to everyone who receives information or services through the program. Explain the importance of client feedback for the continued success and improvement of the program. Make the survey or questionnaire anonymous, if possible, and easy to turn in either with a dropbox near the exit of the building or by providing a stamped addressed envelope.
- 4). Read and record all responses to the survey or questionnaire. If a space was provided for people to give their own opinions regarding community needs or potential improvements to the services provided, record this information, making note of suggestions that appear more than once.
- 5). Use information from the surveys to determine if the needs of the target population are being met and combine this qualitative information with the quantitative information obtained through a careful review of the program's annual report. The qualitative information shows the general needs of the community and how the community views whether their needs are being met. The quantitative information shows potential needs for increased funding and any areas in which excess spending may be cut or areas where spending may need to be increased.
- 6). Compile a formal report listing both the quantitative and qualitative information obtained through the program review and evaluation, if necessary. Using pie charts or other graphing tools can help present financial information to the board of directors or whoever requested the evaluation. Likewise, charts can easily demonstrate comparisons between the needs of the population served and whether those needs are being met by the program at its current state.