Introduction

A cornerstone for a purposeful evaluation is well- defined intent. Although few evaluations start without some statement of that intent, too many lack the forethought needed for a well- defined purpose. Getting there means taking a journey from initial ‘wants’ to well- specified and utility- geared ‘needs’ so as to provide the clarity and sharp focus needed to take the evaluation forward in the necessary direction.

Setting that intent is not as simple as it might seem. Evaluators, and especially those conducting their roles as funder agents, contractors or consultants, may have little or no direct input to purposing; they will be on the receiving end of what has been done by others and any gaps they have left. They nonetheless have potential in early preparation and planning, to act as ‘critical friends’ in assessing the utility of what they have received and filling in those gaps where refinement is needed. This chapter focuses on what can be done with those opportunities.

Whose purpose?

Defining purpose sets the scope and ‘needs’ parameters of an evaluation, but just whose purpose is it? The answer is not always straightforward. This is often taken simply to be whoever is seeking the evaluation or providing the resources for it, typically the funding agent, co- funders or commissioning body. Yet often the ‘funder’ is an agent acting for others who will be the intended end- users for the evaluation. In public bodies, regulators or larger commercial bodies, this might be the policy or strategy teams, perhaps themselves acting on behalf of senior managers or executives. Elsewhere, the intended users may be those who have direct accountability for the funding or direction of whatever the evaluation is going to evaluate.