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Happy Spring! (Wishfully embracing the warmer weather, despite a pile of snow that refuses to melt in my backyard) As Spring begins, we thought it’d be appropriate to share some of our internal growths, as the world around us also grows!  The team is growing! In October 2020, we welcomed our first team member outside of Brad. Meghan Adams, MPH, joined in a part-time capacity to support a few ongoing projects as well as resource development! She is a passionate advocate for equity and currently works full-time as a Lead Evaluation Specialist for a recovery center in the Twin Cities.  In February 2021, we welcomed our second team member, Nathan Browning! Nathan runs a consulting firm, Kiaer Research, in Kalamazoo focused on evaluation and applied research. He brings a depth of knowledge in methodology and has supported a large survey and focus group project KC is implementing.   Finally, the Krueger family is also growing! Brad and his partner Elise are expecting their first little one in April! If you’ve been on any calls with Brad, you’ll know his office is quickly becoming a nursery and his workspace is ever-shrinking!

1. How much does it cost?

Evaluation consultants generally bill by the hour or deliverable. These can range significantly. Hourly rates can range from $75 to $250, depending on size, focus, location, etc. Most evaluation consultants will share this if you ask (I currently bill at $100 an hour). Other consultants prefer to bill by deliverable. Most consultants will provide a free consultation to learn about your needs. After that, they will provide a proposal with a scope of work and budget for you to consider and discuss internally. Don’t be afraid to negotiate, all parties are working with limited information and it’s important to have a clear understanding. Admittedly, money can be a sensitive topic, but it’s an important discussion for all parties, and you should feel comfortable having this with a potential consultant.

2. What role do I play?

Evaluation consultants have different approaches to supporting your agency, but I’ve found a few things to be consistent. In the early weeks/months of the engagement, the consultant will spend time learning and exploring your organization and the project. This often involves a longer kick-off meeting, document sharing, and involvement of a variety of staff. After this more intensive early stage, a consistent meeting schedule will be established, generally weekly or monthly. The consultant will facilitate these calls and prepare agendas. The meetings will serve as project updates, requests for clarification or resources, and troubleshooting.

Consultants generally position themselves as an extension of the team and will want to build comradery and familiarity, ensuring the evaluation isn’t happening on an island. While experts in evaluation, we know you are the expert in your field and your agency. We will look to you for guidance, and you can do the same for us. 

3. Who owns the products developed?

Almost always, you. Evaluation consultants and the agency they are working with will sign contracts that include the scope of work, budget, and ownership. Almost always, the agency/nonprofit will retain all ownership of developed products. Sometimes, evaluation consultants will ask if they can use a report or instrument as an example to show a potential client, but this should always be discussed first. Again, contracts can be a challenging conversation but please discuss key points and have an understanding of them. Good communication starts before the contract is signed and will facilitate a successful partnership. 

4. How long are typical contracts?

Nonprofits hire evaluation consultants for a variety of projects. Sometimes, they ask an evaluation consultant to help on a large federal grant that requires evaluation (these are often 3–5 years). Other times, a nonprofit wants help to develop something very specific, like a logic model (these are often 3–6 months). As shared in previous answers, no one size fits all, and communication and understanding are the most important element of the relationship.

5. What happens after the contract is over?

Once the contract is nearing completion, it is a good idea to have a direct conversation with the consultant. Talk about final deliverables and products, share all documents that the consultant has been working on (in .doc and .pdf formats), and specify what is needed for closeout. Most consultants will want to maintain some level of contact and relationship, and they may ask if they can occasionally reach out or be in touch. As evaluators, many consultants will also suggest some review or debrief of the project to talk about what went well and what could be improved. Just like the start of the project, open communication is important. I am notably ignoring the utilization of the products and deliverables. Please don’t set it on a shelf to collect dust!

Context:

Short: Eight months ago I started out on my own. I was excited and ready. I chose words to guide and center me.

Long: First, I am far from an expert on the ins and outs of values, mission statements, mottos, slogans, visions, etc. I am, however, a strong believer in knowing what moves us. When I began dreaming of consulting on my own, I knew I needed something to center me. As I sat down on day 0, I had the world open to me. I had so many thoughts of ways I could approach my work, agencies to work with, fields to explore, etc. However, I knew I needed to do this from a place of “Brad”. I got to be driven and kept awake by the potential impact of evaluation and data. I got to obsess it and spend time with it. I got to be humble. These three words, humility, data, and impact are centering for me. They remind me why I spend that extra energy considering my position and privilege in a space. They remind me why I owe so much to the sharers of the data. They remind me that fun analysis and charts fall short if I don’t drive towards impact.

Why Humility – led?

As I step into a space, it is not my own. As a consultant, I know I am stepping into worlds in which I am not the expert. I am an expert but not in your field. I am confident in what I bring but I am a fool if I don’t humbly listen and learn to adapt what I bring. I am led by humility because I know the final outcome is better served when I hold my expertise in parallel with yours.

Why Data-focused?

I know I know. Data is a buzz word and of course, we all want to collect it, review it, and use it. But, as an evaluator, I want us to go a bit deeper. I want to expand our understanding of what data is (not just numbers and quotes). I also want to us think differently about what it is telling us or not telling us. I chose to ask new or different questions of it. I want to broaden the conversation of who makes decisions with the data. The more minds reviewing and looking at it, the better decisions we can make with it.

Why Impact-Driven?

I have the pleasure of working with many organizations and individuals supporting communities that have been mistreated and underserved. If I, as an evaluator, was simply here to ensure programs are functioning as designed (monitoring), I do not believe I would be maximizing their (the programs or agencies) potential. While most programs do benefit from monitoring activities as well as funders requiring it, the next step in evaluation seems to be where the rubber meets the road.

Learning from and listening to evaluation findings allows the program to build on itself and improve outcomes for the next implementation. Leaning into strengths and acknowledging gaps is essential in the growing stage

To begin, I want to say thank you. You have poured into me, and I am a product of your wisdom, time, encouragement, and kindness. I am privileged to be chasing my dream, and make no mistake, you are in large part to thank (blame) for this.

Many of you know my year started up unexpectedly. I began the year with challenging health news as well as a need for a job transition. While I had always dreamed of designing and implementing projects directly with good people doing good work, I had hoped for a clearer (more comfortable) path to this opportunity. In addition to the challenges in January, COVID-19 has created new and unexpected challenges for all of us.

As I write this, I am reflecting on how your positive influence on me has helped me overcome the circumstances of this Spring and I am proud to say Krueger Consulting is off the ground. I am working with several incredible organizations on a range of projects including program evaluation, facilitation, and grant management. I am honored to be a trusted partner of organizations working in cancer, housing, and community health, each elevating equity for their communities.

As I continue leveraging the knowledge and skills that have been entrusted to me, I want to remain focused on where we are headed. My work has only just begun. I ask that you, my growing network, continue to challenge me to be better, encourage me to confront the status quo, and envision more equitable communities with me. In return, I commit to offer my best to each of you, to be transparent in my strengths and areas of learning, and to advocate for a better tomorrow for our communities.

I am beyond excited. Scared daily. More content than ever. Humbled often. Learning nonstop. Challenged continually. Thankful to my core.

Together, we’ll achieve a more equitable tomorrow.

Sincerely,

Brad