RE: Evaluability Assessments: An invitation to reflect and discuss | Eval Forward

Dear Amy,

Thanks for taking time to read through and reply. 

My apologies but let me be terse and honest.....

Many thanks for explaining what Mr Scriven wrote. I now understand. That said, I remain none the wiser on the import and significance of what he wrote. Motherhood and apple pie, so clever but a bit thin. 😉 

On EAs themselves, and as I alluded to, the purpose and scope of an EA's inquiry appears to be part and parcel of what most people would refer to as a competent ex ante evaluation or appraisal. As you say, great to have an evaluator or two on the team ,yet...How could you not look at the "evaluability" of the investment by appraising it and the evidential reasoning that informs its rationale and design factors, including a ToC and/or a results framework?  Or are we saying that an appraisal that recommends an investment not worthy can be judged as evaluable or, indeed, vice versa (assuming the EA is conducted after the appraisal)? 

Thus, and as Hadera points out, the incremental value generated by carrying out a discrete  - some would say a contrived EA solely by evaluators appears marginal at best, potentially fragments the team and comes across as rather extravagant and indulgent.  

Many thanks for the post and the discussions that have prompted enquiry, debate, skepticism and doubt about  EAs.   

With best wishes,

Daniel