| Session Title: Extreme Genuine Evaluation Makeovers (XGEMs) |
| Demonstration Session 303 to be held in California A on Thursday, Nov 3, 11:40 AM to 12:25 PM |
| Sponsored by the Evaluation Managers and Supervisors TIG |
| Presenter(s): |
| Jane Davidson, Real Evaluation Ltd, jane@realevaluation.com |
| Abstract: "Value for money" applies not just to programs and policies, but to evaluations themselves. This demonstration will show how evaluations can be designed and implemented in ways that deliver real value for money for their clients. The demonstration uses humor and metaphor to guide the audience through the main species of waste-of-money evaluation, their natural habitats and distinguishing features. These evaluations frequently lack incisive evaluation questions; get lost in the details; skip over the crucial 'values' step; uncritically accept stated objectives as the only evaluative criteria; fail to adequately triangulate and weave sources of evidence; and toss causation into the 'too hard basket'. The session will demonstrate some practical guidelines for doing Extreme Genuine Evaluation Makeovers (XGEMs). The emphasis is on being realistic and humble about what is feasible, but resisting the urge to do non-genuine evaluation when the needs and the constraints are challenging. |