Measuring infrastructure: A key step in program evaluation and planning

•State tobacco prevention and control programs need a functioning infrastructure to implement the interventions that have successfully decreased tobacco use over the past five decades.•This paper describes development and pilot testing of an infrastructure measurement tool based on the Component Model of Infrastructure, developed to provide a clear, practical evaluable description of tobacco control program infrastructure.•Program managers in nine states found this tool to be user-friendly and the measures relevant to their understanding and experience of their program infrastructure.•The tool was slightly modified as a result of this pilot test and is currently being administered to state tobacco control program managers in all 50 states. State tobacco prevention and control programs (TCPs) require a fully functioning infrastructure to respond effectively to the Surgeon General’s call for accelerating the national reduction in tobacco use. The literature describes common elements of infrastructure; however, a lack of valid and reliable measures has made it difficult for program planners to monitor relevant infrastructure indicators and address observed deficiencies, or for evaluators to determine the association among infrastructure, program efforts, and program outcomes. The Component Model of Infrastructure (CMI) is a comprehensive, evidence-based framework that facilitates TCP program planning efforts to develop and maintain their infrastructure. Measures of CMI components were needed to evaluate the model’s utility and predictive capability for assessing infrastructure. This paper describes the development of CMI measures and results of a pilot test with nine state TCP managers. Pilot test findings indicate that the tool has good face validity and is clear and easy to follow. The CMI tool yields data that can enhance public health efforts in a funding-constrained environment and provides insight into program sustainability. Ultimately, the CMI measurement tool could facilitate better evaluation and program planning across public health programs.