Write a paper (1,000-1,250 words) in which you discuss summative and formative types of program evaluation. Do the following in your paper:

1. Provide a research-based description of the purposes, audience members, types of information, and data collection sources for which summative and formative program evaluations are best suited.
2. Identify and defend the type of program evaluation that would best align with and assess the performance of the organization you referenced in the Module 2 assignment. Include specific examples from the organization’s mission statement and program description.
3. Discuss the theory and process involved in developing the methodological strategies for implementing this evaluation.

Module 2 Assignment below:

Verizon Communications mission statement

Organization mission statements and vision statements are meant to symbolize the level of commitment of the entity toward achieving its goals and objectives. At the same time, mission statements can be used to assess the performance levels, through gauging the objectivity of personnel in the organization. Basic consideration on the performance metrics in the entity, it will be easier to determine whether personnel are adequately complying with the set visions. And missions of the entity. The ultimate aim is to achieve the desired profitability for profit making entities such as in the case of Verizon Communications.

Verizon Communications is a famous company and well known around the world, as the most effective and top producer of wireless communication (Palmer, 2013). The organization has developed strong market dominance in the markets in which it operates, and is continuously looking for ways that can help improve the entity, as well as adapt to the changes which consistently arise in the field of technology. The mission statement of Verizon stands for what the entity believes in, and what they are continuously working to achieve. As a leader in the communications industry, the mission of Verizon Communications is to enable everyone as well as businesses communicate more effectively with each other. The entity is also committed to providing open communication with customers, the investors and the employees.

Goals, Mission, and Objectives

Most program managers are keen to make consultations and assessments, considering the value they have for their work. At the same time, there is need to perform significant evaluation of programs and assessing the likelihood of certain programs to complement the organization mission and vision statement. Evaluating mission and vision of a program enhances the development and realization of strategic directions. At the same time, the mission statement allows the entity differentiate itself with the competitors in the industry. Mission statements help identify who is to build employee relationships, and ensure that actions taken are weighed before implementation.

The mission statement serves as a guide for all the program decision making. Shareholders, the lenders and the personnel are the target of the mission statement. In all programs which have been embraced by the entity, it is important to consider the insight which is offered by the mission statement. The mission is also related to organization strategy. This way, it will be easier to know how to gauge program effectiveness during its evaluation. Program evaluation data needs to be precise, accurate and more so, effective to minimize all the chances of error during the evaluation process. There is a need for program managers to style up and not shun the importance of having of program objectives, goals and mission in an entity.

Research theory and Process

Purposeful program theory is used in enhancing communication. In any organization communication must be effective. The purpose of carrying out research in an organization is to ensure that the organization is ahead of its competitors (Palmer 2013). Without research an organization cannot grow in any way because it will have no information to know on how to do so. There are benefits that come along with good communication in developing performance indicators for a program. The researchers are able to inform and advice each other. Sometimes acquiring information from customers can be hard if one does know how to communicate well. Communication plays a big role in making sure that the whole program runs smoothly and the results are satisfactory. Without effective communication there a number of issues that are likely to be experienced in the program. The operations at the organization are likely to be affected. Lack of communication might lead to collection of wrong information. Wrong information cannot be useful to an organization and therefore the whole process will be a waste of time and resources. For a program to be effective there must be effective communication in all ranks. For employees to perform effectively they must be rich in communication skills.

Developing questions to guide the design

In any program there must be guidelines that should be used by the researchers. Questions are used to guide the researchers in enquiring for more information and collecting useful and right data. The process of research can be long and complicated if it lacks questions that guide the whole process. The possible question in a research can be on what data is to be collected. Knowing the nature of the required data helps the program manager to plan on how to go about the whole process. The manager is able to make the right decision as he commences the process of collecting data. The other possible question that is likely to be asked is the type of data that should be collected. Data collection can either involve products or human beings. There are different types of data and all that matters are the purpose of the collected data. Data collected to know more about a business is not the same data collected when one wants to start a business. The last question that counts is the value of the data collected. Not all data collected can be used for the purpose of program evaluation Sometimes part of the data collected might be useless and therefore not useful in the program evaluation process.

Selection of tools rationale

For an organization to secure its survival there must be tools in place that forecast on what is likely to affect the business in future. Technology is evolving at a very high speed. If there are no tools to measure the evolutional trend that is taking place in the technological world, then the organization is likely to suffer. Any organization should be up to date so as to ensure that it moves with the right speed technologically (Cummings, 2002). Emergence of big firms and institutions can be a threat to any given organization. The organization should make sure that it uses its financial records and customers’ turn up to know if the business is losing its customers to other companies. The best tool to know of a possible opportunity in business is by carrying out a thorough research so as to predict the nature of the market. Knowing the nature of the market an organization is able to strategize on the steps it is supposed to take so as to benefit. Obstacles will always be there in business and an organization must know how to be ready for challenges. The organization should observe closely on the changes that are taking place so as to know its position in future.

References

Palmer, I., Dunford, R., & Akins, G. (2013). Managing Organizational Change: A Multiple

            Perspectives Approach. California: CRC Press.

Philip, G. (2010). Communicating for Managerial Effectiveness. London: Sage publishers.

Cummings, T. (2002). Organization Development and Change. New York: John Wiley and          Sons.