Step 4: Plan for WWC Certification

These guides provide you with the information and resources you need to meet each of the evaluation related criteria for What Works Cities certification.

1. Run Evaluations

Criteria Checklist: Launching Rigorous Evaluation
Your local government has a regular, sustained process for identifying, launching, and resourcing rigorous evaluations (process, experimental, or quasi-experimental).

Criteria Checklist: Using Rigorous Evaluations Results to Make Decisions
Your local government has a regular, sustained process for using the results from rigorous evaluations (process, experimental, or quasi-experimental) to make decisions.

2. Integrate Evaluation into your Work

Criteria Checklist: Establishing City-Wide Evaluation Commitments
Your local government has documented and implemented its commitment to the city-wide use of rigorous evaluations (such as an evaluation policy, agenda, budget requirement or funding allocation).

Criteria Checklist: Rigorous Evaluation Leadership & Expertise
Your local government has a designated leader and/or team responsible for ensuring departments are conducting rigorous evaluations (e.g., process, experimental, or quasi-experimental).

3. Use Evidence for Better Outcomes

Criteria Checklist: Adapting Evidence-Based Programs
Your local government has a regular, sustained process for identifying and adapting high-quality, evidence-based programs (EBPs) from outside the city government (e.g. academic researchers, clearinghouses, work of other jurisdictions).