This article examines the value that impact evaluations of transformation processes in public service units have to improve stakeholder relationships. An argument will be made on its value on easing unnecessary tension among stakeholders during transformation. This argument is based on the findings of two qualitative studies conducted in 2008 and 2011 with external stakeholders and members of the South African Police Service's Family Violence, Child Protection and Sexual Offences Unit during this unit's restructuring in 2006 and again in 2011. No impact evaluation study was done in either process. The results suggest that impact evaluation has the ability to influence the landscape in the public service and meaningful impact evaluations have the ability to improve stakeholder relationships in the public sector. It is suggested that a shift to an impact evaluation-centred approach during transformation processes in public serv