At a glance
CDC's Program Evaluation Framework guides public health professionals in conducting program evaluation. It is a practical, nonprescriptive tool, designed to summarize and organize essential elements of program evaluation. Evaluation of public health programs aims to ensure all people have the opportunity to reach optimal health by incorporating fair and just evaluation practices and approaches.
About CDC's Program Evaluation Framework
CDC's Program Evaluation Framework provides a guide for designing and conducting evaluation across many programs and settings within and outside public health. It can be used to build evidence, understand programs, and improve evidence-based decision making. The framework consists of:
- Three cross-cutting actions
- Five evaluation standards
- Six Evaluation Steps
Cross-Cutting Actions
The three cross-cutting actions are the foundational principles of the evaluation framework, and should be woven into each step of an evaluation:
- Engage collaboratively
- Promote fair and just evaluation practices and outcomes
- Learn from and use insights
Evaluation Standards
High quality evaluation should consider these five evaluation standards:
- Relevance and utility
- Rigor
- Independence and objectivity
- Transparency
- Ethics
Evaluation Steps
Each evaluation should follow these steps: