| Session Title: Strategic Learning: Who is Qualified to do it Effectively? |
| Think Tank Session 239 to be held in Palos Verdes B on Thursday, Nov 3, 8:00 AM to 9:30 AM |
| Sponsored by the Non-profit and Foundations Evaluation TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Julia Coffman, Center for Evaluation Innovation, jcoffman@evaluationexchange.org |
| Discussant(s): |
| Tanya Beer, Center for Evaluation Innovation, tbeer@evaluationinnovation.org |
| Ehren Reed, Innovation Network, ereed@innonet.org |
| Abstract: Increasingly, evaluators are being asked to adopt strategic learning approaches to evaluation that help nonprofits and foundations learn in real-time and adapt their strategies to the changing circumstances around them. Strategic learning is different from more traditional approaches to evaluation in some important ways. For example, rather than remain deliberately separate from a program or strategy, evaluators become embedded partners that participate in strategy discussions and help organizations make data-based assessments about their future direction. This trend has led to some important questions about the kinds of preparation and experiences evaluators need in order to use a strategic learning approach effectively. This think tank session will discuss the kinds of knowledge and skills evaluators need to facilitate strategic learning, and how to increase the supply of evaluators who are trained and prepared to work in this new way. An introductory presentation based on recent research will kick off the discussion. |