I’m arguing for a culture of data use that resonates with what we know about information use and decision making.
What Does Complexity Have to Say About the Learning Organization?
This is the text of a post I recently contributed to Evaltalk, the listserv of the American Evaluation Association. Organizational Learning as Adaptation I see organizational learning in terms of potential for adaptation in a changing environment. Environments can change rapidly or slowly, which makes for two different kinds of adaptive capacity. (I’m a big … Continue reading What Does Complexity Have to Say About the Learning Organization?
Two Complexity Constructs to Reorient the Logic of Planning and Evaluation
Recently I was asked to prepare a brief presentation for people in the prediction business – planners and evaluators whose work was preoccupied with some form of the question: If I do this, what will happen? The audience brought a traditional if > then logic to the way they answered this question. They knew that … Continue reading Two Complexity Constructs to Reorient the Logic of Planning and Evaluation
Project Schedules, Program Models and Complexity: Linking Across Three Domains
PDF version: Schedules_logic_models_complexity_Morell_2_18_22 In 2018 I published an article making the case for using project schedules (in the form of PERT and Gantt charts) as logic models (Morell, 2018).[2] I offered two reasons for doing so. Using a project schedule as a logic model can reveal unique insight. Because planners and managers pay more attention … Continue reading Project Schedules, Program Models and Complexity: Linking Across Three Domains
How Much Diverse Intellectual Input Should Be Included When Planning an Evaluation? (Revised)
How Much Diverse Intellectual Input Should Be Included When Planning an Evaluation? I addressed this question some time ago in my book on unintended consequences. It’s time to revisit the question. What is the Optimal Amount of Diverse Opinion? My interest in this question stems from an article I recently read in Foreign Affairs about … Continue reading How Much Diverse Intellectual Input Should Be Included When Planning an Evaluation? (Revised)
My Principles for Constructing Logic Models
Of late there has been a lot of discussion on Evaltalk about logic models. This reminded me of the principles I rely on when I construct models. (For a dated, but still useful slide deck of my logic model workshop, go here.) What is a logic model good for? Logic models can be used to … Continue reading My Principles for Constructing Logic Models
Social Causality with Agents Using Multiple Perspectives — the Movie
I have a few blog posts on a modeling methodology called SCAMP (Social Causality with Agents Using Multiple Perspectives). Simulation Using Events and Goals – A New Approach to Agent-based Modeling Social Causality with Agents using Multiple Perspectives: A Novel Approach to Understanding Network-based Social Phenomena SCAMP is different because it models events and relationships … Continue reading Social Causality with Agents Using Multiple Perspectives — the Movie
Second Installment: AEA’s Potential to Serve the Public Good
I just read all the candidates’ statements on AEA’s 2022 election ballot. It got me to thinking a bit more about my previous blog post: AEA’s Potential to Serve the Public Good. Five notions ended up mingling: facts, · democracy, · social justice, · stakeholder diversity, and · James Madison’s 1788 opinion about factions. … Continue reading Second Installment: AEA’s Potential to Serve the Public Good
System Perspectives by Donors, Not Why, but How
We generate many pixels (no ink anymore) on how to help donors adopt systems perspectives. What is missing from this discussion is rigorous analysis of why they don’t. If we want to help our stakeholders and do better evaluation, we should pursue this question. Donors understand themselves.I have no doubt that donors know better. I … Continue reading System Perspectives by Donors, Not Why, but How
A Complexity-based Plan for Evaluating Transformation
Jonathan A. Morelljamorell@jamorell.com This is the abstract of a paper I have in draft form. I'm looking for critique on any or all parts of it. If you are interested please send me email and I'll send you a copy. Thanks in advance to all. Abstract This article presents a case for more rigorous application … Continue reading A Complexity-based Plan for Evaluating Transformation
Evaluation Uncertainty 