This article approaches the subject of evaluation under the perspectives of a potential to promote changing in organizations, of its institutionalization conditions and strategies to be used. It begins with the assumption of belief 'to change situation', of the contribution to 'reality understand' and of the 'actors senses' about decision making. This approach is supported by the rising of a new professionalism in services and organizations management; in the increased complexity of problems and in the role of 'networks' and its relationship with governance. It emphasizes the legitimacy needed by evaluation to influence decisions. It points out three types of evaluations by means of practice and knowledge: goaloriented evaluation, theory-driven evaluation and that with participatory perspective and discuss about the incapacity to solve problems when using only one type of evaluation. As challenges to its institutionalization, it presents: capacity to carry out evaluation, consistent strategy for results publicizing and use capacity. The article ends taking into account that the institutionalization of evaluation presumes important changing in the use of power to decision making in public administration. It recommends a permanent debate of the possibilities of correct use of evaluators work and about its benefits for society and institutions.
Health evaluation; Institutionalization; Evaluation
