3.7. Planning dissemination and evaluation

This section will help you to consider the following:

• Identification of key dissemination mechanisms which can be used as communication channels during the project

• The role of evaluation as a tool for monitoring the progress of the project and to inform development.

Further information on this topic is available in 'Design Outputs' in 'MLE Design', 'Communication' in 'Implementation' and Sustaining the MLE in 'Embedding'.

A significant part of any MLE project is education about both the nature and purpose of an MLE, and reporting on project progress. This can have a dual function of both gaining stakeholder engagement and managing expectations of what is realistically achievable. The concept of an MLE is subtle and different stakeholders are likely to have different ideas of what it consists of, along with anxieties about how it will impact of their roles and functions. You should consider developing a coherent dissemination strategy for the project which has a range of dissemination outlets along with their intended function and audience. Typical mechanisms for doing this include - establishment of a project Web site, internal presentations to the project steering group and at working group meetings, involvement in relevant external conferences, reporting through existing university structures such as department meetings and university committees.

Similarly you will need to develop an evaluation plan. This can be used formatively during the project to inform the project activities and summatively as a means of measuring project success against agreed objectives and outcomes. This is an important means of demonstrating project success and ensuring stakeholder engagement.