Developmental Evaluation
Use real-time feedback to address complex problems
Use real-time feedback to address complex problems
Developmental Evaluation helps community organizations increase the impact of their work by providing real-time data and feedback to adapt an intervention as it unfolds.
In contrast to formative or summative evaluation, Developmental Evaluation supports the creation, development or radical adaptation of a model in real-time.
Developmental Evaluation serves a different purpose than traditional forms of evaluation.
It is particularly well-suited to initiatives that are being implemented in quickly changing contexts, and can be used by organizations and groups that are:
A Developmental Evaluation project might use a range of different data-gathering techniques, such as interviews, surveys or focus groups. Organizations typically work with an experienced internal or external developmental evaluator to customize the design of the evaluation to their particular situation.
In determining whether to use Developmental Evaluation, organizations should consider if they have a clear idea of the impact they want to have, whether their intervention is suited to Developmental Evaluation, and whether the organization itself is ready to adopt Developmental Evaluation.
The Innoweave self-assessment tool is designed to help you determine your organization's readiness and whether your initiative or program model is well suited for Developmental Evaluation.
This assessment has 5 questions.
Please respond to each of the questions to the best of your ability by choosing the option that most accurately reflects your organizational context.
Start NowFor organizations interested in Innoweave’s Developmental Evaluation stream, we encourage you to review our Developmental Evaluation Information Session:
Can’t find what you’re looking for? We might have more events in French. Or, contact the Innoweave team to discuss hosting a learning event for you and other organizations in your community.
Innoweave offers coaching support to organizations that are well positioned to implement a Developmental Evaluation approach. You can connect with an Innoweave coach to help you explore and implement your initiative. Then apply to Innoweave for funds to support that coaching engagement.
Rida
Abboud
Suzi
Mikaelian
Paul
Bakker
Stephanie
Garrow
Anouk
Bertner
Shelley
Schroeder
Dan
Wilson
Marie-Claude
Jean
Sharon
Brodovsky
Margot Smart
Your organization is eligible to apply for Innoweave coaching support if you have submitted an Expression of Interest and it has been approved.
Apply NowDevelopmental Evaluation is a mindset of inquiry that depends on the situation, context, the people involved, and the fundamental principle of doing what makes sense for program development. Developmental Evaluation is not a specific recipe or set of steps. Developmental Evaluation is a useful tool for organizations to assess whether an intervention is generating impact while it is still being rolled out, allowing them to adapt for great impact in real time.
Developmental Evaluation positions the evaluator as an internal team member, integrated into the action and ongoing interpretation and decision-making processes. This can mean working with a team over the course of months or years as an intervention is explored while it unfolds.
You may want to ask the following questions: