Which of the following best describes "formative evaluation"?

The choice that describes "formative evaluation" is indeed the one focusing on evaluation conducted during program planning and implementation. Formative evaluation is designed to provide ongoing feedback that can help improve program design and effectiveness as the program is being developed or implemented. This type of evaluation allows program managers and stakeholders to identify issues, make adjustments, and enhance the processes before final assessments are made.

Formative evaluation is characterized by its iterative nature, where knowledge gained from evaluation informs decisions right away rather than waiting until after the program's completion. By conducting evaluations during the early and intermediate stages, stakeholders can ensure that their program is on the right path and meeting intended goals effectively.

In contrast, evaluations focused on outcomes after implementation assess the effectiveness of a program only after its completion, which aligns more with summative evaluation. An evaluation that analyzes long-term impacts looks at the sustainability and long-lasting effects of the program, while evaluations performed solely by external evaluators may not involve feedback cycles that are intrinsic to formative evaluations, which often include internal and stakeholder participation. Thus, the emphasis on the developmental aspect of evaluations makes the selected answer the most accurate descriptor of formative evaluation.