What facilitates a common understanding among stakeholders in an evaluation process?

A common understanding among stakeholders in an evaluation process is facilitated by norms and expectations. Norms refer to the established standards and practices that guide behavior and decision-making within a group, while expectations outline what stakeholders anticipate to achieve from the evaluation. When all parties involved share the same norms and expectations, it creates a cohesive framework within which they can communicate effectively, collaborate, and work toward shared goals. This alignment helps to clarify the purpose of the evaluation, the criteria for success, and the roles of each stakeholder, reducing misunderstandings and enhancing the overall effectiveness of the evaluation process.

In contrast, the other options can lead to confusion and miscommunication. Personal biases might skew an individual's perspective, individual assessments can create isolated evaluations that miss the broader collaborative context, and variability in approaches could introduce inconsistencies that undermine a unified evaluation effort. Therefore, having a framework of shared norms and expectations is crucial for fostering a collaborative environment among stakeholders.