There are gender wars, and then there are casualties. It wasn’t until 2011 that the behemoth toymaker LEGO acknowledged girls’ desire to build with bricks, even though the company had long before made a seemingly effortless pivot to co-branding, video games, and major motion pictures. So it’s little wonder that girls face all-too-real obstacles when […]
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Author: Patrick Parnaby Using a variety of evaluation techniques can reveal hidden truths about your program. Evaluation isn’t helpful unless you measure the right things. Problem You’ve implemented the feedback from your focus groups, but your project is still failing. You are confused because test users say your program is great, but no one is
Funding Difficulties
April 1st, 2006 by IDEA
Author: Patrick Parnaby Incorporating technological tools into evaluation plans can please funders. Your funders will want you to look at your project from many angles. Providing them with a sound evaluation plan gives funders the assurance they need. Problem Your project wasn’t able to secure funding because your evaluation plan was “weak.” Solution Develop a
Author: Patrick Parnaby Implementing the right evaluation plan can guide your project to success. To begin, you need to ask the right questions. The taste of this donut is more important than its diameter. Problem You need to know whether your program is meeting your target audience’s needs. Solution Develop and implement an evaluation plan.
Improving program evaluation can pave the way for superior results and increased funding. It is important to reflect on your project from the very beginning It’s difficult to know whether or not a program works if your method of evaluation isn’t reliable or valid. A poor method of evaluation can, and often will, lead to
Globalized commerce and communications requires precision timekeeping. IDEA designed and produced National Clocks for the U.S.A. and Malaysia. Aesthetically appealing, web-based interfaces allow users to conveniently access their official national time – across different time zones if necessary. IDEA was an innovator in government web services — time.gov went online in 1999, and the Malaysian
Author: Elisa Warner Implementing a strategic plan gives an organization focus and flexibility. Problem Without a strategic plan, a non-profit organization can drift from its mission and underserve its stakeholders. Solution Design and implement a strategic plan. Discussion Strategic planning presents an opportunity for an organization to examine its mission and set goals for the
Author: Elisa Warner Supporting creative differences through leadership can help a project reach its potential. Recognizing that enthusiasm is a more powerful motivator than coercion, most managers adopt the style of a coach rather than a dictator. Problem While managing a team project, it’s sometimes difficult to maintain structure without alienating staff or stifling creativity.
Tailoring information adds value to the user’s experience. Educational materials that attempt to meet the needs of everyone often meet the needs of no one in particular. Tailoring replaces the cookie cutter approach by personalizing content and increasing relevance. Many educational efforts suffer from a problem of relevance. For example, math teachers may struggle to