In planning a community health program, which item belongs in the evaluation plan?

• A. Determine availability of resources to initiate the plan.
• B. Gain approval for the program from local leaders.
• C. Establish a timeline for implementation of interventions.
• D. Compare program impact to similar programs.

Answer: (D)

Evaluation planning focuses on how you measure success and determine the program’s impact. Including a comparison of program outcomes with those of similar programs creates a benchmark that helps you interpret whether changes are due to your activities and how your results stack up against what’s expected or achieved elsewhere. This benchmarking shines light on effectiveness and informs adjustments to improve results.

The other items fall more into feasibility and project logistics: assessing what resources are available to start, securing local approvals, and establishing a timeline for actions are important for planning and implementation, but they describe using and organizing the project rather than evaluating its outcomes.