The Innovation Advantage: Setting the stage for evaluation’s next frontier by Cathy Lesesne and Michele D Sadler

Date: Sunday, July 12, 2026

Join us—Cathy and Michele, from Deloitte’s Evaluation and Research for Action Center of Excellence—as we explore the evolving landscape of our field. This week’s blog series will showcase how new frontiers, from the integration of artificial intelligence to the application of next-generation behavioral insights, can enhance, augment, and automate evaluation practices to drive meaningful change in an ever-evolving time.

Like everything around us, the field of evaluation is in a period of rapid change. We need each other to advance; we need to test, fail, and test again; we have to embrace change while ensuring thoughtful, equitable action. Throughout the week, we’ll explore how new methods and technologies reshape thinking and measurement. Some AI, yes; but also a continued focus on the human element of evaluation.

Whether you’re experienced or a newcomer to evaluation, we hope you’ll find value in this series. Understanding these emerging topics is key to adapting and thriving in modern evaluation! We’ll be kicking off the week with today’s focus on navigating these new frontiers.

The Innovation Advantage: Transforming How We Evaluate

Embracing new directions offers the potential to strengthen our evaluations, as demonstrated by the following topics:

• Navigating the Field: For those just starting out, translating existing skills and building interest holder trust is critical. Join us here on AEA365 on Monday for a practical newcomer’s perspective on evaluation today!
• Integrating AI and Tech: AI is reshaping methods. Join us here on AEA365 on Tuesday and Thursday for insights into reimagining outcome harvesting with AI and using a GenAI Maturity Model for Health Nonprofits!
• Measuring Impact and Behavior: Managing complex research, applying next-generation behavioral insights and nudging, and improving healthcare quality require focusing on the right metrics. Join us here on AEA365 on Wednesday, Friday, and Saturday to dive into scientific portfolio management, behavioral insights, and healthcare quality improvement!

Lessons Learned: Navigating New Frontiers

Incorporating new methods and technologies brings challenges. Here are key lessons to help you adapt effectively:

• Lesson Learned #1: Responsible Innovation: As we integrate tools like AI, maintaining ethical standards and keeping humans in the loop for validation and sensemaking remains essential to our practice.
• Lesson Learned #2: Human x Machines: While technology advances, we must not lose sight of the human element. Tech tools and AI enable faster insights, new methods, and even novel simulation trials in human service. We must seek to use evaluation in service to better human life—this focus should guide our next frontiers.

Putting it into Practice: Hot Tips for the Evolving Evaluator

Adapting to the future of evaluation requires actionable strategies. Here are hot tips to help you integrate these new directions into your work:

• Hot Tip #1: Leverage Maturity Models: When adopting complex technologies like GenAI, don’t rush. Use a maturity model to guide integration step?by?step and help ensure sustainable adoption, including within your evaluation practice.
• Hot Tip #2: Expand your Network: Evaluators cannot navigate this frontier alone. To integrate AI and behavioral insights, seek partners outside our bubble—data scientists, developers, and behavioral psychologists. Crossing disciplines drives innovation.

As we delve into these new directions, the potential to strengthen the impact of our evaluations becomes clear. What new methodologies or technologies are you currently exploring in your own evaluations? Who are you collaborating with to push your work further? Share your thoughts—we’d love to hear from you!

This posting contains general information only, does not constitute professional advice or services, and should not be used as a basis for any decision or action that may affect your business. Deloitte shall not be responsible for any loss sustained by any person who relies on this posting.

Do you have questions, concerns, kudos, or content to extend this AEA365 contribution? Please add them in the comments section for this post on the AEA365 webpage so that we may enrich our community of practice. Would you like to submit an AEA365 Tip? Please send a note of interest to AEA365@eval.org. AEA365 is sponsored by the American Evaluation Association and provides a Tip-a-Day by and for evaluators.