Participatory Evaluation - Better Evaluation (Better Wvaluation)
Participatory evaluation is an approach that involves the stakeholders of a programme or policy in the evaluation process. This involvement can occur at any stage of the evaluation process, from the evaluation design to the data collection and analysis and the reporting of the study. A participatory approach can be taken with any impact evaluation design, and with quantitative and qualitative data. However, the type and level of stakeholder involvement will necessarily vary between different types, for example between a local level impact evaluation and an evaluation of policy changes (Gujit 2014, p.1). It is important to consider the purpose of involving stakeholders, and which stakeholders should be involved how, in order to maximise the effectiveness of the approach.

Participatory Rural Appraisal - Better Evaluation (Better Evaluation)
"Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) recently renamed Participatory Learning for Action (PLA), is a methodological approach that is used to enable farmers to analyse their own situation and to develop a common perspective on natural resource management and agriculture at village level. PRA is an assessment and learning process that empowers farmers to create the information base they need for participatory planning and action. Outsiders contribute facilitation skills and external information and opinions. Many different tools have been developed for use in PRA. There are four main classes: tools used in group and team dynamics; tools for sampling; options for interviews and dialogue; and options for visualisation and preparing diagrams. Most countries have had some experience with PRA and local publications are available. IIED regularly reports on new developments in its PLA notes (Pretty et al 1995)." (Bie, 1998)

Positive Deviance - Better Evaluation (Better Evaluation)
Positive Deviance (PD) refers to a behavioral and social change approach which is premised on the observation that in any context, certain individuals confronting similar challenges, constraints, and resource deprivations to their peers, will nonetheless employ uncommon but successful behaviors or strategies which enable them to find better solutions. Through the study of these individuals– subjects referred to as “positive deviants” - the PD approach suggests that innovative solutions to such challenges may be identified and refined from their outlying behavior.

Qualitative Impact Assessment Protocol (QUIP) - Better Evaluation (Better Evaluation)
The QUIP sets out to generate differentiated evidence of impact based on narrative causal statements elicited directly from intended project beneficiaries without use of a control group. Evidence of attribution is sought through respondents’ own accounts of causal mechanisms linking X to Y alongside Z rather than by relying on statistical inference based on variable exposure to X. This narrative data is intended to complement quantitative evidence on changes in X, Y and Z obtained through routine project monitoring.

Randomised Controlled Trial - Better Evaluation (Better Evaluation)
Randomised controlled trials (RCTs), or randomised impact evaluations, are a type of impact evaluation which uses randomised access to social programmes as a means of limiting bias and generating an internally valid impact estimate.

Realist Evaluation - Better Evaluation (Better Evaluation)
Realist evaluation is a form of theory-driven evaluation, but is set apart by its explicit philosophical underpinnings. Pawson and Tilley (1997) developed the first realist evaluation approach, although other interpretations have been developed since. Pawson and Tilley argued that in order to be useful for decision makers, evaluations need to identify ‘what works in which circumstances and for whom?’, rather than merely ‘does it work?. The complete realist question is: “What works, for whom, in what respects, to what extent, in what contexts, and how?”. In order to answer that question, realist evaluators aim to identify the underlying generative mechanisms that explain ‘how’ the outcomes were caused and the influence of context.

Success Case Method - Better Evaluation (Better Evaluation)
The Success Case Method (SCM) involves identifying the most and least successful cases in a program and examining them in detail. This approach was developed by Robert Brinkerhoff to assess the impact of organizational interventions, such as training and coaching, though the use of SCM is not limited to this context. It is a useful approach to document stories of impact and to develop an understanding of the factors that enhance or impede impact. The Success Case Method deliberately looks at the most, and least, successful participants of a program. The purpose is not to examine the average performance - rather, by identifying and examining the extreme cases, it asks: 'When the program works, how well does it work? What is working, and what is not?'.

Utilization-Focused Evaluation - Better Evaluation (Better Evaluation)
Utilization-Focused Evaluation (UFE), developed by Michael Quinn Patton, is an approach based on the principle that an evaluation should be judged on its usefulness to its intended users. Therefore evaluations should be planned and conducted in ways that enhance the likely utilization of both the findings and of the process itself to inform decisions and improve performance.

Challenge-led Innovation: Organising for Systems Innovation at Scale - Burkett, Ingrid

Equitable Systems Change: Funding Field Catalysts from Origins to Revolutionizing the World - Daniels, Emma Nothmann, Kevin Crouch, Cora, Lija McHugh Farnham (Bridgespan)
The Bridgespan Group's services include strategy consulting and advising, sourcing and diligence, and leadership team support. We take what we learn from this work, identify best practices and innovative ideas, and share them with the social sector.

Development Gateway website - Development Gateway (Development Gateway: an IREX Venture)
We create tools and design processes that help collect, analyze, visualize, and use data to support more effective, open, and engaging institutions.

MEL 360: Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning for Systems Change - Estrella, Andrea; Tolmer, Zazie; Bina, Andrea; Muhereza, Suzane; O'Malley, Charles; Uusikyla, Ida; Fregolent, Federica (UNDP)
MEL 360 offers practical, accessible guidance to help you layer Systems-Informed Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (Systems MEL) approaches onto your existing MEL practices

Funding Field Catalysts from Origins to Revolutionizing the World - Farnham, Lija; Nothmann, Emma; Crouch, Kevin; Daniels, Cora (Skoll Foundation & The Bridgespan Group)

A Refresher on Discovery-Driven Planning - Gallo, Amy (Harvard Business Review)

Learning as a Management Strategy - Lowe, Toby; Hesselgreaves, Hannah; Taylor, Abigail (Centre for Public Impact)

Discovery-Driven Planning - McGrath, Rita; MacMillan, Ian (Harvard Business Review)

Three Horizons - Rippel Foundation (The Rippel Foundation)
"Three Horizons" is a framework, developed by Bill Sharpe, as a valuable and intuitive tool for efficiently guiding systems change across various fields The framework itself provides a structured way to think about future change by categorizing developments into three horizons: - Horizon 1 represents the dominant current system, which is increasingly less able to meet emerging needs. - Horizon 2 involves innovations and disruptions that could potentially replace or transform the current system. - Horizon 3 focuses on long-term visions and aspirations for the future, representing transformative changes.

CLARISSA Social Protection Intervention - Evaluation Report - Roelen, Keetie; Howard, Neil; Afroze, Jiniya; Aktar, Afrin; Ton, Giel; Huq, Lopita (Institute of Development Studies)
The CLARISSA Social Protection (SP) Cash Plus intervention represented an innovative social protection scheme for tackling social ills, including the worst forms of child labour (WFCL). The purpose of the intervention was to trial and evidence an innovative social policy intervention for tackling poverty, improving wellbeing, and addressing worst forms of child labour (WFCL). It was a universal and unconditional cash plus programme, combining community mobilisation, case work and cash transfers. It was implemented in a high-density and low-income neighbourhood in Dhaka to build individual, family, and group capacities to meet their needs. This, in turn, was expected to lead to a corresponding decrease in deprivation and community-identified social issues that negatively affect wellbeing, including WFCL.
Accepted: 2023-06-30T11:14:55Z

Storytelling for Systems Change: Listening to Understand - Snow, Thea; Bandaranayaka, Asitha; Fyfe, Rachel; Wolf, Lila (Centre for Public Impact)
The second phase of our Storytelling for Systems Change work, has revealed new insights, raised questions, and offered a range of possibilities.

Impact Management Software & Measurement Platform - Sopact
Impact Management platform is designed for social impact investing funds, grantmakers & public agency to provide comprehensive social impact measurement & impact management.

Two Loops – Excerpted from - Stilger, Bob