Text alternative - Step 2: Engaging an independent evaluator for a population health program evaluation**

​​Steps​

• ​Establish an evaluation advisory group that includes stakeholder representatives to guide and inform the evaluation process.
• Develop a program logic model^# to explain the causal pathways linking program activities, outputs and outcomes (short, medium and long-term)
• Develop an evaluation plan that includes:

• ​​Overview of the program
• Purpose of the evaluation
• Audience for the evaluation​
• Evaluation questions
• Evaluation design and data sources
• Potential risks
• Resources and roles, including budget and timeline
• Governance
• Reporting
• ​​​​​​Engage an independent evaluator:
• ​Prepare a Request for Proposal
• Issue an invitation to provide a proposal
• Engage an evaluator and agree on a contract
• ​​Project manage the development and implementation of the evaluation workplan and achievement of the contract milestones
• Disseminate the evaluation findings to support the incorporation of results into program decision making

​Good practice principles

• ​Timeliness
  
• Appropriateness
• Stakeholder involvement
• Effective governance
• Methodological rigour
• Consideration of specific populations
• Ethical conduct

​** Centre for Epidemiology and Evidence. Planning and Managing Program Evaluations: A Guide. Evidence and Evaluation Guidance Series, Population and Public Health Division. Sydney: NSW Ministry of Health; 2023.