Doing Nothing: An Innovation Paradox
Strategy in chaos is like whitewater rafting — it needs stillness among the motion. Sometimes the best transformation and boldest action is doing nothing.
Read more
Michael Quinn Patton
Design-driven Evaluation
A greater push for inclusion of evaluation data to make decisions and support innovation is not generating value if there
Read moreDevelopmental Evaluation’s Traps
Developmental evaluation holds promise for product and service designers looking to understand the process, outcomes, and strategies of innovation and
Read moreSystems thinking and the simple plan
Planning is something that is done all the time, but the shape in which these plans unfold is often
Read moreThe Finger Pointing to the Moon
In social innovation we are at risk of confusing our stories of success for real, genuine impact. Without theories, implementation
Read moreDo you value (social) innovation?
The term evaluation has at its root the term value and to evaluate innovation means to assess the value that
Read moreBringing Design into Developmental Evaluation
Developmental evaluation is an approach to understanding and shaping programs in service of those who wish to grow and evolve
Read moreEvaluation and Design For Changing Conditions
If we are serious about addressing the social, political, health and environmental challenges posed to us in this age of global complexity we need to launch from these start points into something more sophisticated that brings these areas further together. The cross training of designers and evaluators and innovators of all stripes is a next step. So, too, is building the scholarship and research base for this emergent field of inquiry and practice. Better theories, evidence and examples will make it easier for all of us to lift the many boats needed to traverse these seas.
Read moreA Call to Evaluation Bloggers: Building A Better KT System
Are you an evaluator and do you blog? If so, the American Evaluation Association wants to hear from you. This
Read moreWhat is Developmental Evaluation?
Developmental evaluation (DE) is a problematic concept because it deals with a complex set of conditions and potential outcomes that
Read more