Why should evaluation be included at the beginning of the assessment process in the CHANGE model?

• A. Because you already have the end goal in mind and stakeholders will help with evaluation to create change
• B. Because evaluation is the only required step
• C. Because data collection takes precedence over goal setting
• D. Because evaluation is optional in the starting phase

Answer: (A)

Starting evaluation at the beginning of the assessment process in the CHANGE model anchors the work in what you want to achieve and who will use the results. When you enter with an end goal in mind, you can partner with stakeholders to define the specific outcomes and indicators that will show whether change occurred. This makes the evaluation plan part of the design from the start, so data collection, analysis, and interpretation are all aligned with the intended impact rather than collecting information in a vacuum. Involving stakeholders early also builds ownership and clarity about roles, which helps ensure that findings can translate into concrete actions to reach the goal. Evaluation isn’t about doing everything later or treating data collection as higher priority than goal setting; it’s about shaping the whole process so that the right questions are asked and the right changes are measurable from the outset.