Step 6 Checklist

Step 6: Act on Findings

To act on your findings, evaluators need to engage interest holders in translating the evidence into actionable decision-making. In Step 6, evaluators collaborate with interest holders in order to act on the evaluation findings and recommendations.

Applying the Cross-Cutting Actions and Evaluation Standards

As with all the evaluation framework steps, it is important to integrate the cross-cutting actions and evaluation standards when acting on findings in Step 6. See Table 10 in the CDC Program Evaluation Framework, 2024 to determine if you have effectively applied the cross-cutting actions and evaluation standards.

Planning the Findings for Use

☐ Identify who will use the findings and how and when they will be used (refer to Steps 3 & 4)

☐ Develop an effective approach so that the findings are used:

• Disseminate procedures used and lessons learned to interest holders

• Provide interim reports to key audiences

• Use evaluation findings to support annual and long-range planning

• Use evaluation findings to promote the program

• Disseminate evaluation findings in several ways

• Schedule follow up meetings to facilitate the transfer of evaluation conclusions

Preparing the Findings for Use

☐ Determine the format of the deliverable (e.g., written evaluation report, presentation, infographic, video, etc.) Refer to BOX 3 from the CDC Program Evaluation Framework, 2024 for examples, keeping in mind that an evaluation report is often not the most important product

☐ Tailor communications to the audience's needs and preferences:

• Consider using other structured frameworks for moving from evaluation findings to learning and uptake (e.g., Data to Action Framework)

☐ Consider how the data can be conveyed more efficiently to the audience in an accessible way

☐ Develop a communications plan:

• Consider timing, style, tone, product, and format of all communications

• Tailor communications to your audience(s)

• Incorporate and refer to your program roadmap/narrative/logic model

• Share data methods and findings

• Address strengths and limitations of your evaluation

• Ensure you use plain language that matches the audience's capacity

• Plan intentional opportunities to engage in dialogue around how to use evaluation insights and act on findings

☐ Reduce the likelihood that content will be misinterpreted:

• Revisit the purpose(s) of the evaluation when preparing recommendations

• Prepare interest holders for the eventual use of evaluation findings

• Tailor evaluation reports to the audience(s)

• Present clear and succinct findings in a timely manner

• Avoid jargon when preparing or presenting information to interest holders

• Explain the focus of the evaluation and its limitations

☐ Communicate evaluation findings:

• Use multiple methods for dissemination (e.g., reports, infographics)

• Schedule follow-up meetings to discuss findings and implications

Facilitate Insights to Action

☐ Develop an action plan based on your evaluation findings, including how you will:

• Provide continuous feedback to the program and interest holders

• Identify training and technical assistance needs (when applicable)

• Integrate evaluation findings into program implementation

☐ Organize facilitated sessions to help interest holders understand and apply the findings

☐ Identify training and technical assistance needs for implementation

☐ Develop a strategy to help interest holders acknowledge findings that differ from their expectations and outline steps to encourage them to take action based on those findings