This nomination demonstrated the benefits of long-term engagement and investment in evaluation.
The system generated both improved program delivery and outcomes as well as attitude change about evaluation and enhanced recognition of the value of evaluation. The nomination also laid out a clear avenue for uptake of the evaluation learnings and potentially aspects of the system beyond the organisation that it was designed for.
The programmatic changes that have occurred have resulted in a high-quality program with broad potential for learning beyond the Australian Border Force. For example, the nomination notes that, the constant redesign of the program has been enabled by these evaluations. The success of the program has been recognised by the World Customs Organisation where the team was invited to present results from the evaluation work in Brussels.
There is also demonstration of shifts in organisational thinking about evaluation. At a recent conference, a former policy officer said, ‘The ATT evaluation was hard to stomach [at first], it was uncomfortable, but I encourage you pursue evaluation, because it helps you build the momentum for better public policy.’ Now there is ongoing investment in evaluation beyond activities outlined in the M&E Strategy demonstrating the value placed in evaluation. All of this combines to indicate ongoing and future use both within the context that the system was designed for, and more broadly.
Photo: Andrew Hawkins, ARTD (left) and Martin Moseley, ABF (right)
About the Evaluation System Award
This Award recognises the development of an exemplary integrated evaluation system and/or implementation of the evaluation system.
The work should be designed to be sustainable; and be undertaken in partnership with clients or users.
Nominees who have only developed an evaluation system will be considered for this Award. Nominees who can demonstrate excellent development and implementation will be assessed more highly than those who have only developed a system.