Developmental Evaluation
DEFINition
Developmental Evaluation (DE) is an evaluation approach that can help changemakers test and improve social change initiatives in complex or uncertain environments. Developmental evaluators compare their role to the role of research & development in private sector product development process because it facilitates real-time, or close to real-time, feedback. It provides a continuous feedback loop while a new approach is being tested to address a complex problem. Definition adapted from BetterEvaluation.org.
Resources
Tamarack Institute
Visit this website for resources, case studies, and tools to improve your developmental evaluation strategy.
Developmental Evaluation Article with Resources
A brief overview of DE with multiple resources to deepen your learning.
Evaluation Canada: Alberta Consultant Directory
Consultant list of people who can help you with your organizations developmental evaluation.
A Developmental Evaluation Primer, The J.W. McConnell Family Foundation
New to the world of developmental evaluation? Dip your toes into the water with this primer on developmental evaluation.
The Developmental Evaluation Institute Resource Library
Visit the DEI resource library for the what, why, how, and more on developmental evaluation
Planning and Evaluating for Social Change
An Evening at SFU with Michael Quinn Patton, Part One (VIDEO).
Alberta Examples
Alberta Family Wellness Initiative
Read about how The Alberta Family Wellness Initiative used DE to improve their innovations and impact.
Outside Alberta examples
A Developmental Evaluation Primer
This primer features a variety of global organizations engaging in developmental evaluation.
Additional Building Blocks of Evaluation
Building a Strategic Learning and Evaluation System for Your Organizations
Learn the strategies of strategic learning and evaluation to build your organization.
Evaluating Social Innovation
Learn how to evaluate social innovation and it’s impacts.