Why is it important to articulate evaluation questions early in the process?

Articulating evaluation questions early in the evaluation process is crucial because these questions serve as the foundation for the entire evaluation design. They clarify the scope of the evaluation and guide the methodology, ensuring that the evaluation efforts are aligned with the intended goals and objectives of the program or intervention being assessed. By establishing clear evaluation questions, evaluators can determine what specific data needs to be collected, which aspects of the program should be scrutinized, and how the findings will be interpreted. This focused approach enhances the relevance and applicability of the evaluation, leading to more meaningful insights and recommendations. Without such guidance, evaluations may become unfocused, which could result in wasted resources and less effective outcomes.