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Evaluation as Practice

Evaluation as Practice

Evaluation is both trans-discipline and craft, shaped by context, contested by power, and demanding of learning and judgment that are increasingly challenging during a time of upheaval and uncertainty. Posts here engage with the real practice of evaluation: design choices and their assumptions and trade-offs, quality and rigour in messy settings, ethical navigation, and what it takes to do this work well when it truly matters. A Global South lens infuses the posts.
13
Nov
Ten tips for shifting to systems-informed evaluation

Ten tips for shifting to systems-informed evaluation

As one of three facilitators at a recent 3-day workshop organised in Connecticut by Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors (RPA) on '
2 min read
14
Sep
Competencies for post-normal evaluation, Part 3

Competencies for post-normal evaluation, Part 3

One thing is certain: the proficiencies and abilities that will help us deal with the world in an era defined
4 min read
12
Sep
Competencies for post-normal evaluation, Part 2

Competencies for post-normal evaluation, Part 2

Skill 6. Deep Generalists In order to be a good evaluation professional, it is essential to see connections. We have
4 min read
03
Sep
Competencies for post-normal evaluation, Part 1

Competencies for post-normal evaluation, Part 1

"Are modernity's blueprints for evaluation theory and practice exhausted?" Only now and again one finds provocative
6 min read
09
Jan
Snippet: How data visualisation can mislead

Snippet: How data visualisation can mislead

We live in an era of 'big data' and 'big information'. We work in an increasingly
2 min read
06
Jan
Evaluation shelfies

Evaluation shelfies

A while ago Michael Quinn Patton urged us in one of our Young and Emerging Evaluator posts to share the
1 min read
03
Jan
Towards Transformation, 3. A grand narrative for evaluation in this era

Towards Transformation, 3. A grand narrative for evaluation in this era

In its very essence, the concept of evaluation is beautiful, I argued long ago in one of my first blog
5 min read
18
Dec
When can we claim 'success'?

When can we claim 'success'?

I have long thought that evaluators don't define 'success' in meaningful ways. Now highly respected economist
4 min read
09
Nov
Rob van den Berg’s Top Tips for YEEs

Rob van den Berg’s Top Tips for YEEs

As Professor at King's College London on evaluation of sustainable development I encounter many students who hesitate or
4 min read
18
Sep
Responsibility of intellectuals

The Responsibility of Evaluators

What is the responsibility of evaluators in the era in which we live today? This is one of the issues
3 min read