A written evaluation plan fosters transparency and ensures that stakeholders are on the same page with regards to the purpose, use, and users of the evaluation results. Moreover, use of evaluation results is not something that can be hoped or wished for, but must be planned, directed, and intentional.

Just as using a roadmap facilitates progress on a long journey, an evaluation plan can clarify what direction an evaluation should take based on priorities, resources, time, and skills needed to accomplish the evaluation. The process of developing an evaluation plan that is focused on needs and priorities identified by the organization will provide a sense of shared purpose.