Formative Evaluation Explained: Improving Programs Before They’re Finalised

What is formative evaluation, and why does it matter?

Formative evaluation is the process of gathering ongoing feedback during the development of a program, product, or activity—so you can improve before it’s complete. Unlike summative evaluation, which judges outcomes at the end, formative evaluation helps you identify strengths, address weaknesses, and make real-time adjustments.

In this video, we’ll break down:
The definition of formative evaluation
How it differs from summative evaluation
Examples from education, program design, and product development
Why it’s a powerful tool for improving quality and reducing risk

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