Activity: Lifecycle Alignment Review
The purpose of this activity is to provide a structured framework for assigning lifecycle phases to both a program and its evaluation. This lays the foundation for a discussion of the program’s alignment.
First, the working group should review the Program and Evaluation Lifecycle Definitions and Alignment handout corresponding to Figure 8. Based on the discussions and diagrams created in the previous two Activities, the working group should review the phase definitions in the handout and decide which program and evaluation lifecycle phases most closely fit the program in its current form.
With regard to program lifecycle, the group may recognize that some “parts” of their program are undergoing different kinds of change than others. In assigning an overall program lifecycle, this variation across parts of the program should be taken into account. (The distinctions between Phases IB, IIA, and IIB are specifically about this kind of variation in scale and scope of change.)
With regard to evaluation lifecycle, if the components of the current evaluation fall into different lifecycle phases it may be difficult to assign a single evaluation lifecycle phase to the entire program. If possible, base the assignment on an identification of the primary purpose of the current evaluation and the methodology that is being used to serve that primary purpose. If this is not possible, then make note of the fact that there are multiple evaluation phases underway and record which aspects of the program are being evaluated in which way.
Once the lifecycle analyses for both the program and the program evaluation are complete, use the Lifecycles Alignment Chart in Appendix XII to plot the location of the program relative to the 45-degree line. In practice, since lifecycle considerations are not the only factor influencing evaluation decisions, it is quite common for program and evaluation lifecycles to not be aligned. If this is the case for your program, discuss what other factors are in play for this program, and what the consequences of non-alignment are. (Refer to the discussion of points A, B, and C in Figure 7 for examples of this kind of alignment review.) Refer back to the Map of Stakeholders to identify stakeholder-driven reporting requirements or guidelines, and explore whether these are appropriate for the lifecycle phase of the program.
Figure 8
