Developmental Evaluation (DE)
Developmental Evaluation (DE) is a real-time, iterative evaluation approach designed to support innovation and adaptation in complex, uncertain environments. It provides ongoing feedback to project teams, enabling continuous learning and improvement as the initiative unfolds.
Use DE when working on innovative projects, radical program redesigns, or in crisis situations where traditional evaluation methods are insufficient. It's ideal for complex systems where solutions are uncertain and stakeholders have conflicting views.
Solves: Lack of adaptability in the face of emergent challenges; reliance on rigid plans that don't account for real-world complexities.
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Step 1: Frame the evaluation focus in the context of the innovation's goals (15 mins).
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Step 2: Gather data on the innovation's progress, challenges, and emergent outcomes through interviews, observations, and document review (30 mins).
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Step 3: Analyze the data to identify patterns, insights, and areas for adaptation (30 mins).
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Step 4: Provide real-time feedback to the project team, highlighting key findings and recommendations for improvement (30 mins).
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Step 5: Document the evaluation process, including data, analysis, and feedback, to inform future iterations (15 mins).
- Establish a trusting relationship with the project team to encourage open and honest feedback.
- Be flexible and adaptable in your evaluation approach, adjusting methods as needed to capture emergent data.
- Use different data collection methods, such as surveys, focus groups, or social network analysis.
- Adjust the frequency of feedback reports based on the project's needs.