PIEs assessment
The PIEs assessment and service specification tool - a.k.a. the Pizazz, both in paper form, and in software, in its on-line counter-part, the PIE Abacus - is a formative and a process assessment tool.
It is a process evaluation tool, as it aims to provide a framework for self-assessment, so that services may think over to what extent any service actually does use the PIE framework, and so can call itself a PIE with confidence. But rather than requiring strict adherence to a particular set of tasks or way of doing things, the Pizazz assessment process asks services to consider what is right for them, and especially, for their service users group.
But the Pizazz approach is also a formative assessment tool, as it aims to help services identify not just how far they are working 'in a PIE way', but also what factors are holding them back, and what they can do to address these hindrances, with an action plan, and on-going review. (You can read more on this approach HERE)
Further reading, listening and viewing
1: On complex needs evaluation and research issues generally
Annie Danuco, on formative vs summative evaluation: HERE
Becky Rice and Juliette Howe on person-centred research for complex needs: HERE
Grant Everitt on the range and sheer complexity of data in work with complex needs: HERE
Stephanie Barker and Nick Maguire on the lack of studies researching peer support: HERE
Sophie Boobis on researchers learning from a dialogue with evolving practice (video): HERE
McDonald & Tomlin: on mindfulness evaluation with young people, with cautions over a premature preference for meta-analysis: HERE
Emma Belton: on the challenges in researching behaviour change in young people; and the search for alternative evaluation approaches: HERE
Mental Health Foundation: Progression Together, a report with honest comments on difficulties with evaluation studies: HERE
Robin Johnson: 'Do complex needs need complex needs services? (Pts 1&2): HERE
Zack Ahmed on using Participatory Appraisal in involving users in local area needs research: HERE
Collaborate/Newcastle University Business School on complexity and a new paradigm HERE and (excepts): HERE
The Pizazz as a research tool: HERE
2: On PIEs assessment specifically
Sophie Boobis: Evaluation of a Dialogical Psychologically Informed Environment: HERE
Brett Grellier: report on a mindfulness programme in three homelessness hostels: HERE
Sophie Boobis on evaluation of facilitated PIEs training: HERE
The iAbacus team on the IAbacus process - developing the questions: HERE
'Useful questions' the Pizazz process handbook: HERE
Robin Johnson (in conversation) on outcomes measurement: HERE