Developmental Evaluation: Applying Complexity Concepts to Enhance Innovation and Use

by Michael Quinn Patton

Developmental evaluation (DE) offers a powerful approach to monitoring and supporting social innovations by working in partnership with program decision makers. In this book, eminent authority Michael Quinn Patton shows how to conduct evaluations within a DE framework. Patton draws on insights about complex dynamic systems, uncertainty, nonlinearity, and emergence. He illustrates how DE can be used for a range of purposes: ongoing program development, adapting effective principles of practice to local contexts, generating innovations and taking them to scale, and facilitating rapid response in crisis situations. Students and practicing evaluators will appreciate the book's extensive case examples and stories, cartoons, clear writing style, "closer look" sidebars, and summary tables. Provided is essential guidance for making evaluations useful, practical, and credible in support of social change.

See also Developmental Evaluation Exemplars, edited by Michael Quinn Patton, Kate McKegg, and Nan Wehipeihana, which presents 12 in-depth case studies.

Genres: Nonfiction, Academic, Research Methods

375 pages, Paperback

First published June 14, 2010

Reviews

[Petra · Rating 5 out of 5]

First of all, this is the first review I've ever written and I'm writing it because I love this book. Second, this book made me laugh. Out loud. How often does a book on evaluation make you laugh? Third, Michael Quinn Patton writes about things that occur ALL THE TIME in the non-profit sector that even seasoned non-profit people won't talk about... you know those unspeakable subjects! His radical honesty was profoundly affirming & worth the time & money spent on this book. However, those are just details that delighted me. This is the most practical and useful resource about how to work with the forces of social innovation (including grassroots movements & the non-profit sector)that I have ever seen. There are lots of other brilliant books, and I have read many of them, but Dr. Patton has done something unique here. He has presented a theoretically grounded & rigorous approach which is designed to support social innovation (the change we wish to be & see in the world); a survey of new-paradigm thinking as it applies to organizations and change; and has illustrated the application of developmental evaluation though realistic, real, multifaceted & dynamic examples and case studies which are important & 'impactful' lessons unto themselves. It is unfortunate that this book appears to be so specialized... based on the title & design one would have to be really geeky about evaluation to pick this book up, but I think everyone who is interested in social change (from any angle) should read it. I am thrilled because at my organization [...] I now know that we've been muddling along at our half-baked version of developmental evaluation (not knowing what to call the unorthodox things that we do), and now what we do not only has a name, but it has a history, a following, and plenty of opportunities for further professional development. I read this book cover to cover in a matter of days (it is lengthy) and wrote notes(in pencil) on virtually every page. I actually felt like the crazy guy lurking in John Lennon's garden, thinking 'he wrote this book for me!' But I'm not crazy, just really keen on this book & this concept & the contribution it could make. Really, check it out.

[Th · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very useful and relevant to complex environments such as my area of Addictions and Mental Health.