1 Monitoring and Evaluating Employee Wellness Programs

2 Monitoring progress during the project Regular status reporting Centrally located planning calendars Widely distributed meeting minutes Performance reporting Promoting team member accountability

3 Tracking the progress Is project where it needs to be? Are tasks/cost exceeding estimates and duration? Are more resources required? Are there major/minor variances? Analyse the status of each project deliverable Resolve issues

4 Benefits of evaluating outcomes To see if intervention worked Demonstrates cost /benefit of intervention- was it worth the cost? Compare different types of programs eg did you meet industry standards for quit smoking programs? Give feedback (and inspiration to others) To gain info which could be used for press releases, publicity, shareholder reports etc

5 The key to effective evaluation is: Develop the tools for evaluation while you are planning for the program. Initially the evaluation can be done on the short term results eg “ did you participate and what you got out of it? ” and as programs expand or develop measuring longer term results such as retention, absenteeism, sick leave etc

What you are measuring? If goals have been met If funds have been spent efficiently Timelines were accurate and met Outcomes 6

7 Evaluations also Chart the success and progress of the program Provide feedback for better budgeting, timing Give opportunities to review program content and presenters, training, communication strategies

8 Agenda for final project team meeting Performance (work scope, quality, managing changes) Cost performance Schedule performance Project planning and control Stakeholder/sponsor/client relationships Communication management Problem identification and resolution Recommendations for future projects - continuous improvement

9 Which of the following apply in your case? My company evaluation will need to:  Determine the cost of the program  Determine which programs are most effective  Determine which programs are least effective  Determine if the program met its goals  Justify past and future expenditure  Justify expansion

10 Evaluation procedure  Set measurable goals and objectives  Decide the evaluation information needed by company and employees  Resolve how data will be collected  Determine who will analyse data  Decide when to conduct the evaluation  Develop surveys and record keeping tools  Report on the evaluation- make recommendations

11 What to evaluate? Knowledge and skills Reduced risk factors Participant satisfaction Participation rates Effects on costs Workers compensation rates Absenteeism rates Productivity Corporate culture improvements Workplace environment Perceptions of health program Turnover/ attraction/ retention rates

Summary The evaluation of PEP should focus on initially what was done and how it was done, what was successful and what wasn’t. Feedback from participants, including changes in health and fitness behaviour, needs to be collected and analysed. Student activity: what approaches can be used to evaluate project effectiveness and who should be informed about the outcomes of the evaluation How can project management experience be used as a basis for continuous improvement 12

Conclusion Case study 13

14 Jazzing it up for next time ….