Evaluate Activities. 
Following a network activity, assess how well it met member needs, and how subsequent activities can be designed to meet their needs better.  This assessment can be based on written or oral evaluations, or both. Consider conducting an After Action Review (AAR) immediately following an activity.  AAR is typically framed by questions like these:

• What did we expect to be the key factors in ensuring that participants benefited from the activity?
• What were our results, in terms of participant satisfaction, and why did we get those results?
• What factors will we employ again in future activities, and what will we do differently?
   

Evaluate Progress. 
Evaluating a network’s progress requires assessing its activities and their immediate results over a period of time, and comparing them to the measurable milestones and results that reflect its purpose or goals (see Standard 1).  Some of the types of questions that might be asked to evaluate progress include:

• In the past year, how many network members completed, in their local work situation, the planned activities associated with the network?
• To what extent are those “local” activities having the intended near-term results?
• In the past year, to what extent did the network complete the collective activities that were planned?
• To what extent are those collective activities having the intended near-term results?
• To the extent we are not achieving the results intended, why not?
• What adjustments do we think would yield better results?
   

Evaluate Outcomes. 
The ultimate outcomes expected of a network may take years to achieve (see Standard 1).  For example, if a network’s purpose is to increase the pace, scale and effectiveness of fisheries restoration, its outcomes likely will not be ripe for measure for a few years.  Thus measurement of network outcomes will be less frequent than evaluation of activities and measurement and evaluation of network progress.

At a minimum, outcomes should be measured at the termination of a network.  The extent to which the network achieved its intended purpose, as well as conclusions concerning why it did or did not, should be reported to members, sponsor(s) and donor(s).  Ideally this information would also be shared with other network leaders.  In the case of networks focused on conservation practice this information might take the form of a case study published through the Conservation by Design Gateway.