Developmental evaluation, a form of real-time evaluation focused on innovation and complexity, is gaining interest and attention with funders, program developers, and social innovators. Yet, it's popularity is revealing fundamental misunderstandings and misuse of the term that, if left unquestioned, may threaten the advancement of this important approach as a tool to support innovation and resilience.
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A number of years ago I read a series of leadership books written by Max Depree, former CEO of the furniture maker Herman Miller. These books were inspiring both in their simplicity and also in their application. In many ways the design and content of the books – Leadership is an Art, Leadership Jazz and Leading without Power – were formative contributions to my own style of leadership and my career path.
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When Social Innovation Generation (SiG) launched in 2006, the global conversation about social innovation was between relatively few players. In 2013, you can track considerable amplification; the most encouraging aspect of this growth in social innovation activity is that millions of people around the world want to dedicate time and energy to solving complex social and environmental challenges. The conversation has now deepened into the ways we can most effectively achieve impact and scale.
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IDeA (improvement and development agency in the UK) published 'A glass half-full: how an asset approach can improve community health and well-being'.
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The Aspen Institute and Rich Harwood of The Harwood Institute collaborated to develop a white paper on 'Assessing Community Information Needs - A Practical Guide'.
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After one workshop at the Tamarack CCI, Barbara MacLennan handed me a copy of an Inspiring Communities (NZ) resource - 'What We Are Learning about Community-led Development in Aotearoa New Zealand' (2012).
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