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Value of Evaluation

Why does evaluation matter, to whom, when and where? Posts here make the case for new perspectives on evaluation’s value proposition, its purpose and position in the world, the assumptions that underlie the field, and its potential to contribute to accountability, learning, justice and better decision-making in this new polycrisis era of turbulence, complexity and uncertainty — while confronting where the field falls short.
13
Feb
Evaluation as risk management

Evaluation as risk management

Evaluators' power and influence are limited. There are several reasons for this situation. One relates to how our craft
2 min read
25
Jan
Evaluators in Davos

Evaluators in Davos

There are no evaluators this week in Davos. We are clearly not among the most powerful in the world. Yet
2 min read
07
Nov
The DAC criteria, Part 10. Sleepwalking towards irrelevance

The DAC criteria, Part 10. Sleepwalking towards irrelevance

We are sleepwalking towards irrelevance. Not because we do not do some worthwhile things. We do. But because those with
7 min read
30
Apr
Evaluation and the SDGs, Part 1

Evaluation and the SDGs, Part 1

Here is a concise and useful (I hope!) briefing by EVALSDGs on the value proposition of evaluation for the SDG
1 min read
29
Apr
Valuing Evaluation, Part 3

Valuing Evaluation, Part 3

No, I don't equate evaluation with toilet paper made of gold - even if it costs a cool
4 min read
26
Apr
Oh for the Love of Sticky Notes! The Changing Role of Evaluators Who Work with Foundations.

Oh for the Love of Sticky Notes! The Changing Role of Evaluators Who Work with Foundations.

Julia Coffman is one of our best-known evaluation leaders working primarily with foundations. I always think of her as innovative,
1 min read
21
Mar
Seven lessons for the SDG era

Seven lessons for the SDG era

Evaluation is entering an exciting period - one that will challenge us all to think in new ways and to
4 min read
14
Mar
Valuing evaluation and elevator pitches - Part 2

Valuing evaluation and elevator pitches - Part 2

What? Evaluation is not popular? We know that evaluation can be very valuable. We continue to emphasise its role in
4 min read
10
Mar

Valuing evaluation and elevator pitches - Part 1

We need to get much better at "selling" evaluation (the "E" in "M&E&
2 min read
09
Mar
Evaluation – a Beautiful Practice

Evaluation – a Beautiful Practice

Is evaluation beautiful? This post argues that evaluation as profession and practice is intrinsically beautiful — rooted in millennia, engaging our deepest capabilities. But how we practise it is often not. A meditation on evaluation’s true value proposition.
6 min read