Program Theory and Program Logic

Evaluation Influence During Program Design and Funding: An Ecosystem / Environment Perspective

The Logic in Logic Models Part 2:

The Logic in Logic Models Part 1: Extending Models in the Directions of Less, and More Specificity

Two Complexity Constructs to Reorient the Logic of Planning and Evaluation

Project Schedules, Program Models and Complexity: Linking Across Three Domains

How Much Diverse Intellectual Input Should Be Included When Planning an Evaluation? (Revised)

A Complexity-based Plan for Evaluating Transformation

What Does the Graphic Header say About Evaluation?

A Complexity-based Meta-theory of Action for Transformation to a Green Energy Future

AEA Professional development workshop on using complexity in evaluation

Workshop: Logic Models — Beyond the Traditional View

Joint Optimization of Uncorrelated Outcomes: Part 6 of 6 Posts on Evaluation, Complex Behavior, and Themes in Complexity Science

Unspecifiable Outcome Chains: Part 4 of 6 Posts on Evaluation, Complex Behavior, and Themes in Complexity Science

Another post on joint optimization of uncorrelated program goals as a way to minimize unintended negative consequences

Case Study Example for Workshop 18: Systems as Program Theory and as Methodology

Timelines, Critical Incidents and Systems: A Nice Way to Understand Programs

Logic Model Professional Development Workshops

Power Law Versus Symmetrical Distributions — Implications for Policy Recommendations

AEA 2012 Workshop on logic models – Pre-conference email trail with participants.

Preparation for AEA workshop: Logic Models – Beyond the Traditional View: Metrics, Methods, Expected and Unexpected Change

Evaluating the relationship between development and democracy. Comments sought on draft of a presentation

AEA Session 2011 Development of a session on how ideology affects evaluation design

Looking for opinions about content — AEA workshop: Logic Models – Beyond the Traditional View: Metrics, Methods, Expected and Unexpected Change

Dealing with variability

Looking for opinions about content — AEA workshop: Logic Models – Beyond the Traditional View: Metrics, Methods, Expected and Unexpected Change

Eat dessert first. Life is uncertain.
Good advice. True observation.

Any yet, we must soldier on, trying to predict what will happen and to explain why things work out as they do. My professional life has grappled with prediction and explanation through the lens of program evaluation. I have come to appreciate how much, and how little, evaluation can tell us. Sometimes it is “much”. Sometime is “little”. Sometimes it is “much” and “little” at the same time. This blog expresses my engagement with what evaluation can do, what it cannot do, what it should do, and what it should not do. About the graphic.