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Summative Evaluation

The purpose of a Summative Evaluation is to assess the success of a project. Summative Evaluation takes place after the changes have been made, after the project is stabilized and after the impact of the project has had a chance to be realized.

Summative Evaluation answers these basic questions:

• Was the project successful? What were its strengths and weaknesses?
  
• To what extent did the project or program meet the overall goal(s)?
  
• Did the participants benefit from the project? In what ways?
  
• What components were the most effective?
  
• Were the results worth the project’s cost?
  
• Is this project replicable and transportable?

Summative Evaluation collects information about processes, impacts and outcomes.

‘Impact Evaluation’ is assessment of the immediate changes brought about by the project, while ‘Outcome Evaluation’ measures the attainment of objectives in the medium term.

Summative evaluation is usually an external appraisal of worth, value or merit of a project. Usually this type of evaluation is needed for decision-making. The decision may include the following:

• Disseminate the intervention to other sites or agencies;
• Continue funding;
• Increase the funding;
• Continue on probationary status; or
• Discontinue.

Summative Evaluation informs decision makers about whether the activities and strategies were successful in helping the project and/or its participants reach their goals. This evaluation also describes the extent to which each goal was attained.

An important idea to keep in mind in conducting a Summative Evaluation is what has been called ‘unanticipated outcomes.’ These are findings that come to light during data collection or data analyses that were never anticipated when the study was first designed.