Our Methodology | For Good Measure

Where Stories Shape Truth and Impact Begins with People

At For Good Measure, we don't evaluate programs—we collaborate with communities to uncover the stories that matter, amplify voices that need to be heard, and build evidence that drives real change.

Our Philosophy: Beyond the Observer

We believe the most powerful insights emerge when we step down from the evaluator's pedestal and stand alongside those doing the work.

Traditional evaluation positions the evaluator as a neutral observer, somehow separate from and above the work being assessed. We reject this myth. Instead, we recognize that truth is multi-dimensional, emerging from diverse perspectives rather than singular metrics.

Our role isn't to judge—it's to facilitate, to make sense collaboratively, and to democratize expertise by recognizing that those closest to the work hold the most critical knowledge.

Three Interwoven Approaches

Our methodology draws from three complementary evaluation traditions, each bringing essential elements to create a complete picture:

Participatory Evaluation

Those experiencing change become co-researchers in understanding it. By shifting power dynamics and sharing decision-making, we uncover insights that traditional evaluation misses.

Collaborative Evaluation

Creating ongoing dialogue between all stakeholders builds evaluation capacity within organizations while generating insights. This isn't evaluation done to you—it's evaluation done with you.

Utilization-Focused Evaluation

Beginning with the end in mind, every aspect of our evaluation process focuses on actionable insights over academic perfection. We constantly ask: will this help you make better decisions tomorrow?

What This Means for You

For Funders

  • See beyond compliance to real impact
  • Understand not just what worked, but why and for whom
  • Make investment decisions based on deep contextual understanding

For Organizations

  • Build internal capacity while gathering evidence
  • Get insights you can act on immediately, not months later
  • Engage your team and participants as partners, not subjects

For Communities

  • Your expertise is valued and centered
  • Shape how your story gets told
  • Influence decisions that affect you

Our Process in Practice

1

Co-Design

We start by listening, not by proposing

2

Collaborative Sense-Making

Analysis happens with you, not to you

3

Living Documentation

Insights emerge and evolve throughout

4

Action-Oriented Outputs

Every deliverable is a tool for change

Ready to discover what evaluation could be?

Let's start with a conversation about your vision for change. No frameworks to sell, no templates to push—just a genuine exploration of how evaluation could serve your mission.

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