Colleagues: As we continue to move through the Network Design Team process we are experiencing many aspects of network development along the way that range from the inspiring to the frustrating. The purpose of this post is to suggest that in a way we are all thinking like evaluators at different points in the process asking directly or indirectly about goals, tasks, process, effectiveness etc… Section 1.1 titled What is Developmental Evaluation (p. 13-19) of the attached PDF A Developmental Evaluation Primer by Jamie A.A. Gamble provide what I think is a very clear statement on how Developmental Evaluation relates to more familiar forms of evaluation such as formative and summative. It contrasts efforts like that of the FSNE Network Design Team -- an intentional effort to innovate and create something new and involves complex dynamics -- with situations where an existing model or process is being fine tuned (formative) or at the end of program when decisions about its future need to be made (summative). As the backbone/convening team, we definitely see this process as complex, creative and emerging and therefore well-served by a Developmental Evaluation outlook. In addition to the first 6 pages, Figure 4 (p. 31) is useful as is the summary graphic on p. 62 contrasting Traditional and Development Evaluations. I think that if the group can hold some of these ideas in mind that it will increase our collective capacity to constructively manage the tensions around products and process, short-term-long-term, connectivity, alignment and action. See what you think and please comment.
- Tom Kelly
- Tom Kelly
devp_eval_primer_.pdf |