RE: What can evaluations do in terms of capacity development? | Eval Forward

Dear All,

This is an interesting discussion, please see below my comments.
Evaluation is not just about doing and writing a report. It also includes competencies in effectively designing, managing, implementing and using M&E. It includes strengthening a culture of valuing evidence, valuing questioning, and valuing evaluative thinking.  In terms of "Evaluative Thinking" it is not just looking at the programme, looking at the data analysis and giving the conclusions and recommendations, but also forward thinking beyond the programme. Looking for an unexpected theory of change rather than the expected one, it is visionary thinking, horizontal broad approaches. These are not capacities that can be learned by in training classes or in workshops only, but also need to develop a curriculum in the field. Joint and participatory evaluations are one of the methods to gain these experiences.

Isha