How to Deliver an Effective Evaluation

Provide constructive feedback for lasting change.

Evaluations provide needed feedback for employees, students, children and others. However, these potentially useful tools can confuse the evaluation recipient if the provider gives vague, extremely negative or confusing feedback. People often feel that they are going to be torn down by the evaluator and that the evaluator is criticizing them as individuals, rather than their performance. Provide effective evaluations for those looking to you for advice by making sure you couch your criticism with praise and by giving clear directives for positive change.

Instructions

1. Plan for the evaluation. Determine what needs to be evaluated --- progress, grades, overall job performance, public speaking or something else. If someone asks you to evaluate her, ask her what is her overall objective. This step provides clarity in the evaluating process for you and in the final evaluation for her.

2. Decide whether you will evaluate once or if you will measure progress or change over a longer period of time. For example, will you ask the person to give three speeches and then evaluate the overall pattern in those speeches? Or does it better serve your objective to evaluate each speech individually and give specific feedback on each one?

3. Deliver the evaluation to the individual. Begin with praise for things well-performed, identifying behaviors and skills that should be continued as well as ways to improve skills that the individual already possesses. Continue the evaluation with recommendations for change, explaining the reasons for the recommendations and how to make the needed changes. Finish the evaluation positively with a brief commendation.

4. Provide an opportunity for feedback from the evaluated individual. Let them participate in the evaluation with their own ideas for improvement and questions for you. Brainstorm strategies for change, encouraging evaluated individuals to support the process.

References

• University of Phoenix: The Four Steps of Effective Evaluation
• Victoria Quay Toastmasters: Evaluation Guide