Many social innovators working on complex issues are driven by principles, as much as theories of change and plans. In fact, principles are often included as a central part of the strategy.
Principles may:
Despite the importance of both types of principles in social innovation, there has been little guidance on how to evaluate their meaningfulness, application and usefulness on the ground. Until now. Principles-Focused Evaluation, the latest contribution from Michael Quinn Patton, is designed to address this gap. And it has quickly caught the attention of people from many different disciplines.
"Principles-Focused Evaluation provides a practical toolkit for guiding and shaping the urgent work of shifting institutions, systems, and cultures from maladaptive to adaptive states. […] This is a timely and important book for evaluators -- and for the social innovators, policymakers, educators, and funders with whom they work."
- Stephen Huddart, President and CEO, The J. W. McConnell Family Foundation
This page captures Tamarack-supported exploration of this important contribution to the field of social innovation and community change.
Consider the case for integrating P-FE into your evaluation practice
Dive deeper into P-FE and its relevance and application in a range of settings
Watch this webinar with Michael Quinn Patton and Mark Cabaj discussing the key themes and concepts from the book Principles-Focused Evaluation: The GUIDE
Have your questions answered through some of the key resources created at Tamarack's Evaluation Masterclass
From March 12-16, 2018 Michael Quinn Patton and Mark Cabaj travelled to four Canadian cities (Toronto, Regina, Calgary and Vancouver) to deliver an Evaluation Masterclass focused on Principles-Focused Design & Evaluation for Community Changemakers.
Michael Quinn Patton’s book on principles-focused evaluation is the first ever comprehensive exploration of this topic in the English-speaking world. Buy it here.
This three-part virtual workshop is designed specifically to build the capacity of Collective Impact backbone staff and leaders. It provides participants with a solid understanding of the theory and practice of Collective Impact, as well as the necessary tools to launch a successful Collective Impact effort.
Take our new self-directed online course and build your Community Engagement toolkit at your own pace.
Hosted by Lisa Attygalle, Director of Community Engagement, the course will guide you through pre-recorded video lessons, case studies, and practical tools and resources.
The Designing for What's Next webinar and workshop series is aimed at practitioners looking to understand how to best design their organizations, their strategies, and shape their communities for what is to come as we encounter the changes that emerge from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Join 800 community change-makers on October 6 and 7 as Tamarack’s Learning Community convenes to discuss how we are going to rebuild social connection after the COVID pandemic. We will learn together from communities across North America that have innovative responses to COVID recovery and have implemented effective social responses.
Get the latest updates about community change and building vibrant communities.