Planning and Evaluation Tools
What is it?
Planning and Evaluation Tools help organizations design effective programs and understand their impact. This includes:
Logic Models, which provide a visual roadmap of how a program is intended to work — connecting resources, activities, and services to the outcomes and long-term impact you aim to achieve. A typical logic model outlines:
- Inputs (e.g., staff, funding)
- Activities (e.g., case management, workshops)
- Outputs (e.g., number of veterans served)
- Outcomes (e.g., improved mental health, stable housing)
- Impact (e.g., reduced veteran suicide, community reintegration)
Program Evaluation, which assesses how well a program is being implemented and what it is achieving.
- Process Evaluation examines program delivery and participant engagement.
- Outcome Evaluation measures whether the program met its goals and produced meaningful change.
Together, these tools provide a shared framework for planning, measuring success, and continuously improving services for veterans and other populations.
Who is it for?
Planning and Evaluation Tools are designed for non-profit organizations that provide services or interventions to veterans and other populations. These tools are especially valuable for:
- Program managers and staff who want to improve service delivery and outcomes
- Organizational leaders making decisions about resource allocation, scaling, or strategy
- Grant writers and funders seeking clear, evidence-informed descriptions of impact
- Evaluators and data teams working to measure effectiveness and support continuous improvement
They are particularly helpful when:
- Designing or revising a program
- Preparing grant applications
- Communicating program value to stakeholders
- Planning and conducting program evaluations
What is the intended outcome and impact?
For the Organization:
- Improved decision-making: Use data to understand what’s working, identify gaps, and refine services.
- Stronger program design and alignment: Clearly connect resources, activities, and goals using logic models.
- Focused and meaningful evaluation: Identify what success looks like and how to measure it effectively.
- Stronger funding proposals and credibility: Demonstrate impact, accountability, and a commitment to learning.
- Clear communication: Articulate your program’s purpose and outcomes to funders, partners, and internal teams.
For the Veteran:
- Higher quality, intentional services: Programs are better tailored and aligned to meet veterans’ specific needs.
- Improved access and engagement: Evaluation helps identify and remove barriers to participation.
- More efficient support: Programs stay focused on what matters most, reducing redundancy and improving delivery.
- Better outcomes: Veterans are more likely to experience positive change in areas like mental health, housing, employment, and community reintegration.
Toolkits
- CDC Foundation: Veteran Suicide Prevention Evaluation Resource Guide: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/VSPE-Evaluation-Resource-Guide?inline
- CDC Foundation: Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Evaluation Toolkit: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/veteran-suicide-prevention-evaluation-toolkit-2024
- CDC Foundation: Veteran Suicide Prevention Program Evaluation Workbook: https://www.cdcfoundation.org/Veteran-Suicide-Prevention-Program-Evaluation-Workbook?inline
- RAND: Getting to Outcomes Digital Tool: https://e-gto.com/
How Technical Assistance Can Help with Planning and Evaluation:
- Supports leadership decision-making: TA helps organizational leaders identify which planning and evaluation activities will be most valuable based on their goals, capacity, and current stage of program development.
- Collaborative roadmap development: TA providers work alongside staff to co-create a practical, phased roadmap for building or strengthening planning and evaluation efforts.
- Resource alignment: TA connects organizations with the right tools, frameworks, and training resources to implement the roadmap effectively and sustainably.