All measurement and evaluation undertaken by BE is underpinned by a process that includes good practice principles for any evaluation in the non-profit sector. This includes, in particular, linking organisational practice (e.g. governance, management, operations) to program performance; reporting on performance against mission and values; and a stakeholder feedback process that will tell us whether we are achieving our desired outcomes, and whether those outcomes are meeting the needs of our key stakeholder groups (i.e. participants, partners, staff, and funders).

For program evaluation, the evaluation framework and process is developed in conjunction with the development of the project. This ensures that we are clear at the beginning about what inputs (resources) go in to each project (e.g. human and financial resources), how those resources will be used and what they will deliver (outputs), the results each program is seeking to achieve (outcomes), and the measures that will be used for each outcome. We can then measure what is happening at any stage over the lifetime of the project and, if necessary, make changes that may be required to meet changing circumstances. Where appropriate we are also able to calculate the return on investment of our programs.

For BE, one of the most important reasons for undertaking evaluation is to improve our performance. The findings from all our evaluations are used to strengthen our performance and ensure we meet the needs of our stakeholders.