Preliminary Notes on The Application of Concepts from Evolutionary Biology and Ecology to Evaluation
Evaluating for complexity when programs are not designed that way Part 10 of a 10-part series on how complexity can produce better insight on what programs do, and why
This is part 10 of 10 blog posts I’m writing to convey the information that I present in various workshops and lectures that I deliver about complexity. I’m an evaluator so I think in terms of evaluation, but I’m convinced that what I’m saying is equally applicable for planning.
Assumptions and Risk
All assumptions represent some amount of risk, suggesting the following questions: 1) why do some assumptions emerge from our subconscious to be checked while others remain hidden? 2) how can we best surface assumptions and risks for the purpose of program planning and evaluation?
A few very successful programs, or many, connected, somewhat successful programs? Part 9 of a 10-part series on how complexity can produce better insight on what programs do, and why
This is part 9 of 10 blog posts I’m writing to convey the information that I present in various workshops and lectures that I deliver about complexity. I’m an evaluator so I think in terms of evaluation, but I’m convinced that what I’m saying is equally applicable for planning.
How can the concept of “attractors” be useful in evaluation? Part 8 of a 10-part series on how complexity can produce better insight on what programs do, and why
This is part 8 of 10 blog posts I’m writing to convey the information that I present in various workshops and lectures that I deliver about complexity. I’m an evaluator so I think in terms of evaluation, but I’m convinced that what I’m saying is equally applicable for planning.
Why should evaluators care about emergence? Part 7 of a 10-part series on how complexity can produce better insight on what programs do, and why
This is part 7 of 10 blog posts I’m writing to convey the information that I present in various workshops and lectures that I deliver about complexity. I’m an evaluator so I think in terms of evaluation, but I’m convinced that what I’m saying is equally applicable for planning.
Uncovering program assumptions
Assumptions are what we believe to hold true. They may be tacit or explicit. It is okay to assume. In fact, it’s inevitable, because in order to make sense of a complex world, one needs to prioritize the variables and relationships that matter most. The danger is when the variables that aren’t pri oritized are thought not to exist entirely. That is to assume that we haven’t assumed.
Joint optimization of unrelated outcomes – Part 6 of a 10-part series on how complexity can produce better insight on what programs do, and why
This is part 6 of 10 blog posts I’m writing to convey the information that I present in various workshops and lectures that I deliver about complexity. I’m an evaluator so I think in terms of evaluation, but I’m convinced that what I’m saying is equally applicable for planning.
A pitch for sparse models – Part 5 of a 10-part series on how complexity can produce better insight on what programs do, and why
This is part 5 of 10 blog posts I’m writing to convey the information that I present in various workshops and lectures that I deliver about complexity. I’m an evaluator so I think in terms of evaluation, but I’m convinced that what I’m saying is equally applicable for planning.
Invitation to Participate — Assumptions in Program Design and Evaluation
We are actively seeking contributions to this blog on assumptions in program design and evaluation
