Making the Learn Evaluation Assessment Portal: Developing a reciprocal tool for learning and research

Evaluation is a practice with increasing global demand. However, an understanding of who wants to learn evaluation and their learning needs related to evaluator competencies is relatively unexplored. This article describes a research effort designed to address those needs using an evaluator competency self-assessment. Despite their validity challenges, self-assessments can yield valuable information for a variety of audiences. Respondents and their organisations can use this method to understand evaluation capacity strengths and needs and create professional development plans. For those conducting evaluation capacity building in or for organisations, and those developing formal evaluation education programs, self-assessment results can provide a road map for planning, development and delivery. This article describes the process of developing and piloting the Learn Evaluation Assessment Portal, an evaluator competency self-assessment tool, with the Australian Evaluation Society. The article reflects on the lessons learnt from the development and testing of the tool and will be valuable for a range of stakeholders from practitioners to commissioners and in particular Voluntary Organisations of Professional Evaluators which are committed to developing evaluation capacity and are working towards professionalisation of the field.