Front-end reports: Will it work?

Final reports are summative. They judge by the outcomes: has this program worked?

At the other extreme are front-end reports.  They deal with threshold problems. That is, they ask the questions, “Will it work?” and “Is it needed?” before you commit lots of time and money to a particular product or program element.

For example,

• Does the software address issues the target audience wants?
• Which brochure is most effective in attracting participants?
• Will the software work on public machines as well as private or work machines? With modem access as well as faster DSL lines?

Such reports are usually short and can keep all members of the program team informed.