Program Development

Programs that are evidence-informed, community-centered, and built to work.

I help you design programs that your participants will enjoy – and create the impact you desire.

Strong programs do not start with a curriculum — they start with a clear understanding of the people they are meant to serve. I help senior-serving organizations design nutrition, health, and wellness programs that are grounded in evidence, shaped by participant needs, realistic for staff to implement, and built to demonstrate meaningful outcomes.

This service brings together audience research, program design, pilot testing, implementation planning, logic models, and evaluation strategy so your organization has more than a good idea — you have a program that is ready to deliver, adapt, and prove its impact.

Why Program Development Matters

Good programs are designed before they are delivered.

Many organizations know what they want to offer, but need help turning that idea into a structured, fundable, and implementable program. Without a clear program model, even promising initiatives can struggle with low participation, inconsistent delivery, unclear outcomes, or weak evaluation data.

My approach helps organizations move from “we have an idea” to “we have a thoughtful, evidence-informed program with a clear plan for implementation and evaluation.”

“The best programs are not designed for participants — they are designed with a deep understanding of participants.”

Who This Service Is For

Designed for organizations serving older adults and community health populations.

Program development support may be a good fit if your organization is:

Developing a new nutrition, health, wellness, or aging-related program
Redesigning an existing program that is not producing the results you hoped for
Preparing to apply for funding and need a stronger program model
Expanding a pilot program into a more formal initiative
Seeking clearer outcomes, evaluation tools, and implementation materials.

My Program Development Process

A structured process from needs assessment to implementation.

Step 1: Audience Needs Assessment

Before designing the program, I help clarify who the program is for, what they need, what barriers they face, and what would make the program meaningful and accessible.

This may include:

Reviewing existing community data
Designing surveys or focus group questions
Gathering input from participants, staff, partners, or stakeholders
Identifying gaps in current services
Summarizing key findings to guide program design

Step 2: Evidence-Informed Program Design

Once we understand the audience, I help develop a program structure that is grounded in research and best practices while remaining realistic for your organization’s staffing, budget, and setting.

Deliverables may include:

Program goals and objectives
Session or service framework
Curriculum outline
Participant materials
Facilitator materials
Evidence summary or literature-informed rationale
Alignment with funder priorities or public health goals

Step 3: Logic Model Development

A logic model helps connect the program’s resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes. This ensures the program is not only well-designed, but also measurable.

A logic model helps answer three essential questions:
What are we doing?
Why are we doing it?
How will we know whether it worked?

Step 4: Drafting and Pilot Testing

Before full implementation, I can help develop draft materials and support a pilot-testing process to see how the program works in practice.

This may include:

Creating draft curriculum or program materials
Developing facilitator instructions
Gathering feedback from participants or staff
Refining content based on clarity, relevance, accessibility, and feasibility
Adjusting delivery format, timing, or activities

Step 5: Implementation Guide

To help your team deliver the program consistently, I develop an implementation guide that translates the program design into practical steps.

An implementation guide may include:

Program overview and purpose
Target audience
Staffing roles
Session-by-session guidance
Materials checklist
Recruitment considerations
Facilitation tips
Fidelity guidance
Adaptation recommendations
Timeline and workflow

Step 6: Evaluation Plan

Evaluation should be built into the program from the beginning — not added after the fact. I help develop practical evaluation plans that identify what should be measured, how data will be collected, and how results can be used for improvement, reporting, and future funding.

Deliverables may include:

Evaluation questions
Process and outcome measures
Pre/post surveys or feedback tools
Data collection plan
Reporting framework
Recommendations for using findings to improve the program

What You Receive

Clear deliverables your team can actually use.

Depending on the scope of the project, program development engagements may include:

Audience needs assessment summary
Evidence-informed program framework
Logic model
Program goals, objectives, and outcomes
Curriculum or service delivery outline
Pilot-testing plan and feedback summary
Implementation guide
Evaluation plan
Data collection tools
Recommendations for improvement, sustainability, or funding alignment

“My goal is to help you build programs that resonate with participants, support staff implementation, and generate the kind of outcomes funders and communities care about.”

Why Work with Bignell Strategies Group?

Academic rigor with real-world practicality.

I bring a unique combination of nutrition and aging expertise, academic training, evaluation experience, and hands-on knowledge of community-based program delivery. My work is especially grounded in the realities of senior-serving organizations — limited staffing, complex participant needs, funder expectations, and the importance of programs that feel accessible, respectful, and useful to the people they serve.

Audience-Centered Design

Programs begin with participant needs, preferences, barriers, and lived realities — not assumptions.

Evidence-Informed Frameworks

Program materials are grounded in research, best practices, and practical public health strategies.

Built-In Evaluation

Logic models and evaluation plans help clarify outcomes and demonstrate impact from the beginning.

Suggested Service Packages

Program development support can be scoped to your needs.

Option 1: Program Foundation Package

Best for organizations in the early idea stage.

Includes:

Needs assessment review
Program concept development
Goals and objectives
Initial logic model
Recommendations for next steps

Option 2: Full Program Design Package

Best for organizations ready to build a new program.

Includes:

Needs assessment process
Evidence-informed program framework
Curriculum or service model
Logic model
Implementation guide
Evaluation plan

Option 3: Program Improvement Review

Best for organizations with an existing program that needs refinement.

Includes:

Review of current materials
Participant/staff feedback process
Alignment with best practices
Evaluation review
Recommendations for improvement

Frequently Asked Questions

Do we need to have a fully formed program idea before contacting you?

No. I can help you clarify the program concept, identify audience needs, and determine what kind of structure makes the most sense.

Can you help improve an existing program?

Yes. I can review current materials, assess alignment with best practices, gather feedback, and recommend improvements.

Do you create evaluation tools, too?

Yes. Evaluation is built into the process through logic models, outcome measures, data collection tools, and reporting plans.

Can this support a future grant proposal?

Yes. A well-developed program model can strengthen a grant proposal by showing funders that your organization has a clear plan, evidence base, implementation strategy, and evaluation approach.

Are you ready to build a program your participants will love?

Let’s create something that reflects your mission, supports your staff, and makes a meaningful difference for the people you serve.

Not sure where to begin?
Most program development projects start with a conversation about your audience, your goals, and what you hope the program will change.