Evaluation frameworks and plans help busy teams step back and make deliberate choices about evaluation: what to prioritise, what can wait, and what evidence will really be useful. They replace ad hoc activity with a shared roadmap that works alongside policy and delivery pressures. We design frameworks and plans that people actually use, supporting better decisions today and stronger learning over time.
We develop evaluation frameworks and plans that set out what will be evaluated, when, and for what purpose. Whether labelled M&E, MERI, MEL, MEAL, MERLI, or otherwise, our work helps agencies sequence evaluation activity over time and connect it directly to policy, program, and portfolio‑level decisions.
Logic models and theories of change that clarify intent, assumptions, and expected pathways to outcomes. We support teams to establish a sound basis for program design, monitoring, and evaluation.
Meaningful indicators, metrics, and rubrics that support performance monitoring and evaluation. We design: measures that are realistic, interpretable, and aligned to outcomes, not just activity and rubrics with clear standards for judgement, supporting consistent assessment over time.
We undertake targeted evidence and literature reviews to bring together what is already known, helping teams draw on existing research, evaluations, and data to inform policy and program choices.
We develop guidance, templates and tools that support consistent evaluation practice across teams and programs. These resources are designed for everyday use by policy, program, and evaluation staff.
“Will concisely consolidate our logic models, measures and MERI needs and wants. This will be of valuable benefit to the organisation both in the short and long term.”
“The team have been excellent, every touchpoint has been impressive.”
“Structured and comprehensive approach to each task, clear and regular communications, responsiveness to queries, flexible working style tailored to our needs, proactive approach to managing issues before they become problems, and genuine care and interest in the project!”
Dana is a public sector expert, possessing over 15 years of deep experience advising Government organisations on program evaluation, organisational review, optimisation and procurement projects. Dana has designed and executed evaluations for highly complex programs across a range of program areas including health and social, industry regulation and environmental programs.
" I see my role as moving obstacles out of the way to make life easier for my clients. That's what I love about the public service! There are so many challenges operating in such a large, complex, regulated environment. My mission has always been to demystify this and distil into practical easy to consume information and advice that equips managers, streamlining their ability to deliver optimal outcomes long after our engagement has finished. "
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The new Performance Management Framework that GPG developed, distinguished the strategic outcomes from the operational outcomes identified. This way, our client received top line data and weren’t overwhelmed with information that was irrelevant to them.
A Commonwealth Department engaged Grosvenor to develop an evaluation framework, including data collection tools, for a nationwide-initiative across a number of industry sectors.
Monitoring and evaluation (M&E) frameworks are often seen as tools for assessing the success of specific programs or projects. But what if we told you that M&E could be used to transform your entire organisation and achieve your goals on a much larger scale?
A program evaluation framework is a structured tool that defines what will be evaluated, why it will be evaluated, and how evaluation activities will be designed and implemented.
It typically includes key evaluation questions, performance indicators, data sources, and methods of analysis. In leading practice, frameworks provide the strategic structure for evaluation design, ensuring consistency across programs, alignment with organisational objectives, and clarity of measurement.
Frameworks are often used when evaluation needs to be applied across multiple programs, large initiatives, or complex service systems.
A program evaluation plan is a detailed document that outlines how a specific evaluation will be conducted in practice.
It defines the scope, methodology, timelines, stakeholder engagement approach, data collection methods, and reporting requirements. Unlike a framework, which is strategic, an evaluation plan is operational and execution-focused, translating evaluation intent into a step-by-step delivery approach.
Evaluation plans ensure evaluations are structured, resourced, and aligned with decision-making needs.
A program evaluation framework defines the strategic structure of evaluation, including what will be evaluated and the overall logic of measurement across programs.
An evaluation plan defines the practical execution of a single evaluation, including methods, timelines, data collection, and reporting.
In practice:
Framework = “what and why”
Plan = “how, when, and by whom”
Both are used together in mature evaluation systems to ensure consistency at the portfolio level and rigour at the project level.
Evaluation frameworks are important because they create consistency in how programs are assessed across an organisation or portfolio.
They ensure that evaluation activities are aligned with strategic objectives, use consistent performance measures, and support comparable insights across programs.
Frameworks also improve governance by clarifying evaluation priorities, reducing duplication, and ensuring that evidence generation is structured and decision-relevant.
An evaluation framework should be used when organisations are managing multiple programs, complex initiatives, or long-term strategies that require consistent measurement and reporting.
They are particularly useful in government and large organisations where evaluation must be standardised across departments, funding streams, or service systems.
Frameworks are typically developed at the start of program design or portfolio planning to embed evaluation early in the lifecycle.
A robust evaluation framework typically includes:
Advanced frameworks also include prioritisation criteria, risk considerations, and alignment to strategic objectives.
A program evaluation plan typically includes:
In more complex evaluations, plans may also include sampling strategies, attribution methods, and ethical considerations.
Frameworks and plans improve evaluation quality by ensuring evaluations are structured, consistent, and aligned with decision-making needs.
Frameworks improve comparability and governance across programs, while plans improve execution quality by clearly defining how data will be collected, analysed, and reported.
Together, they reduce ambiguity, strengthen methodological rigour, and increase the usability of evaluation findings for policy, funding, and program improvement decisions.
Common challenges in developing evaluation frameworks and plans include unclear program objectives, a lack of agreed performance indicators, inconsistent data availability, and limited stakeholder alignment.
These challenges are often compounded when program logic is not clearly articulated, when performance management is not well integrated into delivery processes, and when key stakeholders are not represented in program and evaluation design.
These issues are typically addressed through structured facilitation, robust logic modelling, and early alignment among stakeholders on the purpose and design of programs and evaluations.
Grosvenor develops evaluation frameworks and plans through a structured methodology that integrates program logic development, stakeholder engagement, performance measurement design, and evaluation planning.
This ensures frameworks are strategically aligned and plans are operationally executable, enabling organisations to generate credible, decision-ready evidence across complex programs and portfolios.
Whether you are looking to get more out of your projects, are interested in collaboration or would like to talk about joining the Grosvenor team, please get in touch.
