How to Evaluate coaching practice

A Practice Evaluation is a systematic and impartial as possible assessment of the work performed by a professional body in the fields of health or social services, such as a therapist or a coach.

The goal is to ensure that the practice works well and produces results, to verify or improve the quality and safety of the practitioner’s work, or to investigate a complaint.

The process involves reviewing the professional’s guidelines and comparing the treatment outcomes to those of peers. The practitioner can go through a simulation or be observed by peers on the ability to provide the service and to follow best practices. Following an assessment, restructuring can sometimes be necessary, following the definition of the intervention needed.

How to create a system for the evaluation of a coaching practice?

To master this competence, I have researched the definition and existing methodology of evaluation in the field of social care. I have created a whiteboard spreadsheet where I have collected the information gathered and summarized as follow: 

1) I must be practising coaching with clients

2) I shall gather information about the effectiveness of the coaching sessions

3) I shall reflect on those information and define what is needed to improve the practice

4) I shall define how to ensure that those actions will be implemented

5) I shall re-evaluate my practice systematically.

How to gather information on the effectiveness of own practice

I can gather information by 

a) asking post-sessions feedback to my clients 

b) asking clients for an assessment of their results

c) asking clients to fill a coaching preparation form

d) participating in as many as possible supervised sessions

e) other....

To get clients feedback, I have created an online session feedback form. The form solves the double function of helping the client reflect on their last session and to provide feedback to me as a coach.

I have also created a checkpoint feedback form, which can help me evaluate the effectiveness of the sessions mid-way in the program.

To check that the clients follow through with their commitment, I have created a coaching prep form, where I ask the client if they managed to implement the goals defined in the previous session.

To ensure that the forms are sent, a system must be put in place. At this point in my skillset, I believe that automation is the key. The key is sending these forms automatically before or after each session. One way of doing this is integrating the email with an app called Zapier.

As the forms require an email address, I can retrieve the feedback forms of each specific client and evaluate case by case. It is  a sort of register of results, to monitor if the clients follow through after the sessions and if their performance in enhanced.

Another way is to have a coaching platform (like coachaccountable, upcoach, podia, teachable...) where each client can log in and perform actions, including the forms.

Regarding supervised sessions, which incidentally I love, I have enrolled on a program called Reciprocoach, where I get to coach peer coaches, which can also give me a professional feedback on my performance.

Another source of supervised coaching can come from further education on the subject. For example, I have the intention of getting ICF  credential or similar accreditation, and this will give me more opportunities for supervised coaching.

How do I get insight from the information gathered

Once the information are gathered, it is essential to ensure a thorough analysis of it. The more accurate and organized are the forms, the easier is to analyse the data. It might be hard to collect quantitative values, but it really helps in terms of automation. For example, in my forms I have added a numerical question as a first step for a quantitative evaluation. Further to this I will create an analysis tool as soon as I have enough data to process.

I have created a specific effectiveness self-assessment, which works fine when data are limited or mostly qualitative.

How do I ensure that I will implement the changes needed to improve my practice?

The easiest way is to define a series of tasks and then associate a deadline to each, maybe adding some reminders here and there.

The formula should be automatic and immediate: when I identify a required improvement to my practice, I will either:

-do it right away or

-set a task in my calendar or 

-delegate it to the right person/department

-project manage it (if is a bigger task requiring several resources)

-else...

As this is not always possible, I have added a few questions in the self-assessment to reflect on the previous to-do's, to not forget about previous commitments. I have also added a gentle reminder in it.

Another way is to work with an accountability partner, a fellow coach, a supervisor. 

Eventually, everything comes down to each coach, our integrity and our commitment to excellence.

Systematical re-evaluation

Every practice changes in time. We become more experienced, and often when we become more confident we start overestimate ourselves and forget many important things. That's why is essential to continuously re-evaluate our practice and be vigilant. How? I shall have a calendar, a plan or a routine to make this happen.

For now, I will committ to do the self assessment every month. As I am quite new to the coaching profession, it is important to monitor my performance as much as possible. 

I have therefore created a monthly recurring task in my calendar, and I will do my best to stick to it.

But I already know that this is not enough. How do I make myself more accountable? 

well, I am still thinking about this, if you have any suggestions, please let me know!