Posted by Health Wellness | Posted in Health And Wellness In The Workplace | Posted on 21-08-2009
Health and Wellness in the Workplace: Assessment Matters
The sort of evaluation you choose depends on when you do it and the kind of information you gather.
This section outlines when to use three types: formative, process and summative evaluations.
During the Development Stage of a Wellness Program
Use formative evaluations in the planning stages to ensure that your program is built on solid information. These evaluations also help you to foster effective and appropriate materials and procedures.
Examples of formative evaluations include:
- records of senior staff commitments to the program
- employee interest surveys
- workplace environmental assessments
- pre-testing of program materials
During Your Wellness Program
A process evaluation is used when the plan is underway. These evaluations help you:
- track what is going well and what isn’t (and how to revise your program)
- learn if you are reaching the staff members you want to reach
- describe the plan to others
- monitor who is participating in the program
During or Following Your Wellness Program
Summative evaluations take place when the plan is already in place or completed. Use this type of evaluation to measure what employees like about the plan and what could be improved.
All three types of evaluations have their place. The assessment you choose depends on the time and monetary resources you have available.