How do you measure program quality in your context?

1 Define program quality

The first step to measure program quality is to define what it means for your program. Program quality can be influenced by various factors, such as your program goals, objectives, outcomes, inputs, processes, outputs, and impacts. You can use a logic model or a theory of change to map out these elements and their causal relationships. Then, you can identify the quality standards and criteria that you want to achieve for each element, based on your program context, stakeholder expectations, and best practices. For example, you can use the SMART criteria (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, and time-bound) to set your program objectives and outcomes.

3 Improve program quality

The final step to measure program quality is to use the data and insights that you have gathered from your assessment to improve your program design, implementation, and evaluation. You can use various frameworks and tools to facilitate this process, such as the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle, the SWOT analysis, the feedback loop, and the lessons learned. You can also involve your stakeholders and beneficiaries in this process, to ensure that you address their needs, preferences, and feedback. For example, you can use the Plan-Do-Check-Act cycle to plan your program improvement actions, do them, check their results, and act on them accordingly. You can also use the SWOT analysis to identify your program strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats, and use them to inform your improvement actions.

4 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?