The turn of the Century brought with it opportunities and challenges for evaluators: interest in performance monitoring and data-based decision making; new tools for communication and social networking; and technological advances in data collection and analysis. As the new Century continues, we experience economic instability and difficult decisions about use and distribution of resources. In the face of these changes, the ability to conduct sound needs assessment and program planning is a critical skill for evaluators; however, many people who have evaluation responsibilities have little knowledge of theory and current practices. The members of the panel, authors of books and articles on multiple aspects of needs assessment and program planning, will discuss the status and future of the field.#TheoriesofEvaluation #ProgramTheoryandTheoryDrivenEvaluation #ResearchonEvaluation #NeedsAssessment #2013Conference