Evaluation and the Information Needs of Organizational Leaders

Abstract

The work of evaluators is constantly being reshaped in recognition of changes in the information needs of stakeholders. New thinking about the functioning of organizations poses a challenge for evaluators to provide information to make organizations more effective in terms of their structure, coordination, and delivery of programs and services. While the ways in which evaluation can serve the needs of organizational management have been well documented, far less attention has been given to the evaluation needs of leaders. This paper conceptualizes key differences between management and leadership as a basis for suggesting ways in which evaluators might operate to serve the decision making needs of organizational leaders.